On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu paid heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War, honouring their unmatched courage and sacrifice.
Taking to social media platform X, the President wrote: “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.”
On Friday, families of fallen soldiers gathered at Lamochen Viewpoint in Drass, the site of some of the fiercest battles during the war, to commemorate the memory of their loved ones. The emotional event saw poignant tributes and personal recollections.
Rajesh, the brother of a soldier who died at Tiger Hill, shared an emotional account: “When we learned about the war, we wrote to him. He told us he wasn’t part of the action. Later, through his diary, we found out he was. He handed his diary to a friend, saying he didn’t think he’d return.”
Surekha Shinde, whose brother had served in the Army for five years before the war, expressed her gratitude: “I feel proud to come here and thank the Army for inviting us. His sacrifice is forever etched in our hearts.”
Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas to mark the victory of Operation Vijay, through which the Indian Army successfully recaptured key positions infiltrated by Pakistani forces in the Kargil sector.
The Kargil conflict, which lasted over 60 days, ended with a decisive Indian victory. It remains a symbol of India’s military resolve, strategic restraint, and national unity.
The Indian Air Force’s Operation Safed Sagar also played a crucial role, demonstrating the power of air operations even without crossing international borders. Launched on May 26, 1999, it was the first large-scale use of air power in Kashmir since 1971.
The solemn observances across the country and in Kargil served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by India’s soldiers in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
