Omkar Dattatray
The grateful nation has celebrated 25th anniversary of Kargil war victory on 26th of July 2024 Friday with great enthusiasm and fanfare .It was on 26th July 1999 ,that the brave hearts of Indian army were successful & repulsed the Kargil incursion by Pakistan and achieved victory by offering the martyrdom of hundreds of the brave army men who with their dedication ,bravery and discipline ousted the Pakistani army from the positions in eastern Kargil. The supreme sacrifices of the precious lives of many Jawans of Indian army led to triumph of Indian over Pakistan 25 years ago and this victory of Indian army is written in the golden letters in the history of independent India .Kargil war victory known as Kargil vijay Diwas is celebrating annually and the sacrifices of the Indian army are remembered and floral tributes are paid to the martyrs on this solemn occasion .Since this year is the 25th anniversary of the Kargil incursion by Pakistan and the victory of Indian army over Pakistan .So Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26.It is observed to honor the bravery and pride of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Kargil war of 1999.This event marks the conclusion of the Kargil war between India and Pakistan that started in May 1999.Indian forces successfully reclaimed the strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists .The Pakistani army sent forces secretly to Kargil’s Drass and Batalik sectors in Ladakh region ,to capture the position to overlook the movement in the NH 1A in the winters of 1998-1999.Gaining influence over local military and civilian movements was their goal. The Pakistani army took Indian forces unaware .The Indian army mistook the infiltrators for radicalized terrorists .But, soon the Indian army realized that it was a something bigger and more planned .The Indian side countered the attack and mobilized nearly 2,00,000 men into the area and started a war .But ultimately on 26 July 1999 the Indian forces repulsed the Pakistani incursion and ousted the Pakistani army from their occupied positions and secured victory over Pakistan .Kargil Diwas honors the ultimate sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the 1999 war .In that battle that was held in J&K ,527 Indian soldiers lost their lives .The Pakistani army covertly entered Indian territory and took control of vital mountain outposts .The Indian army bravely fought and regained these stations despite difficult hilly terrain and inclement weather .India was declared the winner when the Pakistani army was compelled to withdraw .Kargil Vijay Diwas honors these brave warriors who put their lives in danger protecting the sovereignty of the country .As a tribute to their bravery and fortitude in defending the nation’s boundaries ,the day is celebrated every year with great devotion and enthusiasm. This year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay diwas with pomp and show as well as devotion. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Kargil victory various programmes are being held across the country to remember the sacrifices of the Indian army and floral tributes are paid to the martyred army men who made the supreme sacrifice of their precious lives while repulsing the Pakistani army from Drass in Kargil and in defending the nation’s boundaries. The biggest celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil victory is being held in Drass where the Prime minister of India will take part in the celebrations and will offer tributes to the brave Kargil Vijay diwas heroes who paid supreme sacrifice of their lives while defending the nation’s sovereignty .All preparation to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the kargil war victory on 26th July in Drass are in full swing and the preparations are being supervised by the LG of Ladakh .This year ,the day marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas .Operation Vijay continued from May 8 to July 26,1999.The day, apart from commemorating the triumph of the Indian Army over their Pakistani counterparts ,also remembers the 527 martyrs who lost their lives during the limited war.PM Modi will participate in the wreath -laying ceremony and then pay a visit to the ‘Shaheed Marg. The PM will be briefed on the Kargil war ,interact with ‘Veer Naris’ ,and also visit the Veer Bhoomi .He will also inaugurate the ‘Shinku La Tunnel’ virtually on July 26.On this occasion ,the Army Training Command-ARTAC in Shimla will hold a ceremony on the Ridge .The ceremony in the regard has taken place from July 24 and 25 and during the ceremony the army honored the fallen heroes. Events like the display of weapons and equipment ,a free medical camp ,know your army exhibition ,Kargil Diwas poetry by school children ,cultural programs at the multipurpose hall of Gaiety Theatre were held in honor of the fallen heroes .The 26 July holds tremendous significance in Indian history and commemorates the victory of our armed forces over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil war .This year ,the day marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas and thus the day has a special importance for the army and the nation and the country is poised to specially celebrate the silver Jubli of the Kargil war victory and the day will be celebrated in a special manner being the silver Jubli of the Kargil war victory and prime minister will grace the occasion in Drass Kargil and will pay tributes to the fallen heroes of the Indian army .Thus PM Narendra Modi will visit Ladakh to mark the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The celebration is scheduled to be conducted at Drass from July 24 to 26.PM Modi will participate in the wreath-laying ceremony and then pay a visit to the ‘Shaheed Marg ‘.The Indian Air Force is celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti from July 22 to 26 at Air Force Station Sarsawa ,honoring the brave hearts who made the sacrifice for the country .In honor of the air warriors who gave their lives in the service of their country ,chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh laid a wreath at the Station War Memorial on July 13 along with top officials ,families of the brave hearts ,veterans,& serving IAF officers .During the ceremony ,the CAS felicitated and interacted with next of kin .To conclude it should be noted and acted upon by all including our army ,government and the public at large that this celebration of the Kargil victory day should not only be celebrated as a formality but on this occasion all of us should resolve to support the Veer Naris and orphaned children of the fallen heroes of the army and this will be the best tribute to the brave hearts of the army who paid the sacrifice of their lives while defending the country’s sovereignty in Kargil war .There can be no better way of celebrating the 25th year of the Kargil war victory.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist)
