LADAKH (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi paid tributes to soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Mr. Modi said that Pakistan has not learnt any lessons from history and has faced defeat whenever it carried out any misadventure. He noted that Pakistan was trying to remain relevant through terror and proxy war, but it has faced defeat whenever it has carried out any misadventure. “Today, I am speaking from a place where masters of terror can hear my voice directly. I want to tell patrons of terrorism that their nefarious designs will never succeed,” he said.

“Our Bravehearts will crush terrorism and enemy will be given a befitting response,” he asserted. The prime minister’s remarks come in the backdrop of a surge in terror incidents in Jammu. Mr. Modi said, “In Kargil, we not only won the war, we gave a wonderful example of truth, restraint and strength”.

President Droupadi Murmu hailed the “courage and extraordinary valor” of the armed forces and urged all the countrymen to “draw inspiration from the sacrifice and valor” of the soldiers.

In a post on X, she said, “Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion for a grateful nation to pay tribute to the indomitable courage and extraordinary valor of our armed forces. I pay tribute to each soldier who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Mother India on the peaks of Kargil in the year 1999 and bow in reverence to their sacred memory.”

“I am confident that all countrymen will draw inspiration from their sacrifice and valor. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!,” she added. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also offered tribute to the soldiers to commemorate the occasion. In a post on X, he heaped praise on the “unwavering commitment, valor and patriotism” of the soldiers ensuring the safety and security of the country.

“Today, on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the indomitable spirit and courage of the brave soldiers who fought valiantly in the 1999 war. Their unwavering commitment, valor and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe and secure. Their service and sacrifice will continue to inspire every Indian and our coming generations,” Mr. Singh mentioned in the post.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the unwavering resolve and valor of the brave soldiers of the army. “Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the unwavering resolve of the valor of the brave soldiers of the army. In the Kargil war, the brave soldiers displayed the ultimate valor in the inaccessible hills of the Himalayas and forced the enemy army to kneel down, and made the country proud by hoisting the tricolor again in Kargil,” he said in a post on X. “Today on ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ I salute the brave soldiers who protected the motherland with their courage in this war. The nation will never forget your sacrifice, dedication and sacrifice,” he added. Minister of External Affairs (EAM) S. Jaishankar also took the opportunity to “salute the valor and dedication of soldiers” on the occasion. “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, salute the valor and dedication of our brave soldiers. The legacy of their courage and patriotism acts as a guiding light for all Indians,” he said in a post on X.

In a post in Hindi on X, the Congress said, “’Kargil Vijay Diwas’ is a symbol of the indomitable courage and determination of the country’s heroes. On this day, the brave sons of Mother India, on the strength of their amazing valor, drove away the enemy from Kargil and hoisted the tricolor flag.” “We are proud of the heroes dedicated to protecting the nation. We salute them,” the party said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, said, “Congratulations to our brave soldiers, their families and all Indians on the occasion of 25th ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’. We bow our heads in tribute to the martyrdom of our heroes who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting our motherland in the Kargil War.” “We are proud of their indomitable courage and valor,” he said.

“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, my salutations to the immortal martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect India. The country will always be indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Kargil Vijay Diwas is that golden page of Indian military history which reminds us of the valor and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. “In the Kargil War, the brave soldiers of our army, while facing difficult conditions, put their lives at stake and drove away the enemy and made the country proud by hoisting the tricolor on the high peaks of the Himalayas,” she said. “Salute to all the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the country! The country will always remain indebted to our brave martyrs,” she added.

As the country celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas today, the families of the soldiers remember the bravery and dedication of their loved ones who laid their lives during the war between India and Pakistan at icy heights in 1999.

Madhubala, widow of Kargil hero Vinod Kumar, said, “On May 18, 1997, we got married and on June 14, 1999, he lost his life. I feel very good to be here and feel proud. Rajender Kumar, the elder brother of Kargil hero, soldier Bejender Kumar, said that he feels proud that his brother died for the country. “I feel so proud; he died for the country. We remember him every day,” he said.

Prashanti, wife of Kargil hero, Group Captain K. Nachiketa Rao, said that, like all the other countrymen, she used to pray for his repatriation from Pakistan everyday. Group Captain Rao was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force who was captured by Pakistani forces before he was handed over to the Indian authorities. “I feel very proud. The bravery and courage he had shown. We were not married at the time of the war. We married after two years of it. Like all the other countrymen, we used to pray every day for his repatriation (from Pakistan). We feel proud as there are very few people who get such a chance to show such bravery and then get to comeback and live to tell those tales,” she said.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.
(Agencies)