New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes at the National War Memorial here on Sunday on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the country’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army had announced the successful culmination of “Operation Vijay”, declaring victory after the nearly three-month-long battles in the icy heights of Kargil. The country lost more than 500 soldiers in the war.
“I congratulate all Indian citizens on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The sacrifices made by soldiers, which helped us win the Kargil war, will always be a source of inspiration for the armed forces,” Singh told reporters.
Along with the defence minister, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General M M Naravane, Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh also paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial.
The Kargil war was declared over on July 26, 1999, after Indian soldiers pushed back the Pakistani troops, a bulk of them drawn from the neighbouring country’s Northern Light Infantry, from the captured peaks.
The day is observed as “Kargil Vijay Diwas” to commemorate India’s victory in the war.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said the country is proud of the heroes who are dedicated to protecting it and who drove away the enemy from the arduous hills of Kargil.
On the 21st anniversary of the country’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, Shah said the “Kargil Vijay Diwas” is a symbol of India’s self-respect, amazing valour and steadfast leadership.
“I bow to the bravehearts, who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the difficult hills of Kargil and waved the tricolour there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India who are dedicated to protecting the motherland,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
करगिल विजय दिवस भारत के स्वाभिमान, अद्भुत पराक्रम और दृढ़ नेतृत्व का प्रतीक है। मैं उन शूरवीरों को नमन करता हूँ, जिन्होंने अपने अदम्य साहस से करगिल की दुर्गम पहाड़ियों से दुश्मन को खदेड़ कर वहाँ पुनः तिरंगा लहराया। मातृभूमि की रक्षा के लिए समर्पित भारत के वीरों पर देश को गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/mD9Ged8Pkz
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 26, 2020
President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to pay tributes to the slain soldiers on the 21st anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in the war, he said ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces. I salute the soldiers who fought the enemy and laid down their life to defend Bharat Mata. The nation is forever grateful to them and their families,” said Kovind, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.
कारगिल विजय दिवस हमारे सशस्त्र बलों की निडरता, दृढ़ संकल्प और असाधारण वीरता का प्रतीक है।
मैं उन सैनिकों को नमन करता हूं जिन्होंने दुश्मन का मुकाबला किया और भारत माता की रक्षा के लिए अपने प्राण न्यौछावर कर दिए।
राष्ट्र सदा के लिए उनका और उनके परिवारजनों का कृतज्ञ है।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 26, 2020
The Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for the last 10 weeks. The tension escalated manifold after 20 Indian soldiers were killed by the Chinese troops in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15.
The Chinese side also suffered casualties, but is yet to give out the details. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35.
Also read: Kargil: What kind of a democracy are we that we are shy of facing the truth about our wars?