Remembering Kargil War heroes: How India paid tribute to bravehearts on Vijay Diwas

People from all walks of life, including civilian and military leadership, paid homage to the 545 bravehearts who laid down their lives while pushing back Pakistani intruders during the Kargil War of 1999.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26 to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war. India had launched  'Operation Vijay' to evict Pakistani forces who had managed to stealthily occupy strategic positions in the mountains in Kargil, aiming to sever the transport link between Kashmir and Ladakh. On July 26 in 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory after a nearly three-month battle in Kargil.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani laid a wreath and paid homage to the bravehearts at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.

PM, President pay tributes

Greeting the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this occasion reminds the country of the unparalleled courage and valour of India's soldiers who sacrificed their lives while defending the country's pride. Their spirit to sacrifice themselves for the motherland will inspire every generation, he added. 

"On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay my heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. This day symbolises the extraordinary valour, courage, and steadfast determination of our jawans. Their dedication and supreme sacrifice for the nation will forever inspire its citizens. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!" President Droupadi Murmu said in a social media post.

Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts who displayed extraordinary courage, grit and determination in defending our nation's honour in the toughest of terrains. Their supreme sacrifice during Kargil war is a timeless reminder of the unwavering resolve of our Armed Forces. India shall remain forever indebted to their service."

"On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay my heartfelt tributes and salute the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country. "India will always be indebted to them and their families. Jai Hind!"  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Tributes pour in at Drass

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth laid wreaths at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass of Kashmir. 

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta also paid floral tributes as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led other top officers of the armed forces in paying homage to the fallen heroes. 

The next of kin of the martyrs and local residents were among the first to lay wreaths at the war memorial as they began arriving as early as 6 am. 

Later, helicopters flew over the memorial and showered flower petals as a mark of respect.

The Last Post ceremony was held as a mark of respect for the martyrs, serving as a mark of the culmination of the wreath-laying ceremony. 

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma felicitated the next of kin of several officers and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the war.

Initiatives, announcements

General Dwivedi unveiled three initiatives to honour brave soldiers and raise public awareness of their sacrifices. These were: an 'e-shradhanjali' app for martyrs, a QR code-based audio gateway detailing Kargil war stories, and the 'Indus Viewpoint' allowing visitors access to the Batalik sector near the Line of Control.

General Dwivedi also announced the formation of 'Rudra' brigade, comprising of infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial units at one place, and  a special strike force 'Bhairav Light Commando Unit', which, he said, is "always ready to surprise the enemy at the border."

—With PTI inputs