New Delhi: Commemorating 23 years of its victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, the Indian Army on July 26 held events at Northern Command in Udhampur, Tiger division in Jammu, and other formations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Doda to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’.
According to a defence spokesperson, the War Memorial, Northern Command Headquarter held a wreath laying ceremony which saw top Army officers, joined by the JCOs and soldiers, paying rich tributes to those martyred in the war. Major General K Vinod Kumar laid a wreath in the morning at Dhruv War Memorial at Northern Command headquarter.
“In remembrance of supreme sacrifices of soldiers during Kargil war, the Tiger division organised the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at ‘Tiger War Memorial’ and Balidan Stambh in Jammu, today,” the spokesperson said.
Major General Neeraj Gosain, GOC, Tiger division, and all ranks of the Tiger division paid their tributes. Lt Col Rishma Sarin, wife of Major Mohit Sharma, also paid tributes to the war martyrs. Brigadier Manpervesh Herr, Commander Shivalik Brigade, placed a wreath at Balidan stambh in Jammu.
A 10km-marathon was organised by prominent citizens of Jammu to express their gratitude to the gallant soldiers.
The run culminated at Balidan stambh, with runners carrying the national flag and raising slogans for soldiers, the spokesperson said. A large number of veterans and Jammu residents were also present on the occasion to remember the Kargil war heroes.
Col Virender Kumar Sahi, VrC, Col Sham Lal, Captain Shamsher Singh, Havaldar Harbans Lal, and Havaldar Bachan Singh, who took part in the Kargil War gave chilling accounts of their experiences during the event.
At Drass, the Indian Army commemorated soldiers who perished in the three-month-long 1999 Kargil war on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on July 26. Soliders were remembered for their courage during the war waged along the Line of Control in Kargil area of Ladakh Union Territory.
“Kargil War is testimony to the unparalleled saga of raw grit, stoic courage and unmatched resolve of the Indian soldier, fighting in adverse weather conditions in one of the most treacherous terrain,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement issued by the Army. “To commemorate the 23rd ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, a host of events were organised under the aegis of Northern Command, culminating into the final event on July 26.”
Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Councillor Kargil, was the chief guest and Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C, Northern Command was the chief host for Tuesday’s event, the spokesperson said.
The events included two cycle rallies, one of which was carried out from Siachen to Kargil War Memorial, and another from Delhi to Drass – both held under a joint initiative by Indian Air Force and Indian Army, the spokesperson said.
Two motorcycle expeditions – one flagged off by the Vice Chief of Army Staff from Delhi to Drass, and the other from Turtuk to Drass, an ultra-marathon run by Sufiya from Siachen to Drass, and a mountain expedition by Bachendri Pal and team, which traversed 37 passes from Arunachal Pradesh to reach Drass, were also part of events this year.
“Kargil Victory Flame was moved through the entire area of Northern Command finally reaching Drass. These events culminated at Kargil War Memorial paving way to a grand ceremony, with multiple cultural and ceremonial programmes,” said the spokesperson.
The events were followed by laying of wreaths by Air Marshal Shreekumar Prabhakaran, AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Lt Gen Anindya Sen Gupta, GOC 14 Corps, and other military dignitaries.
The Kargil Victory Flame was received at Kargil War Memorial by Air Marshal Prabhakaran, Lt Gen Dwivedi, Col Sonam Wangchuk, Brig Mohit Saxena, and Col Praveen Tomar, all being the awardees of Kargil War, the spokesperson said.
Coming all the way from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be a part of the event, a team of Sikh soldiers performed ‘Gatka’, a martial arts form with roots in Punjab. The team was part of a battalion that had taken active part in the 1999 War.
The Army in its statement said, “Commemoration of the Kargil War is not merely a revisit to the war account but showcasing of the indomitable spirit, unflinching dedication and selfless service displayed by soldiers. Each story of the war is a saga of honour, courage and sacrifice which is an example to the youth of the entire nation to emulate and strive to make this nation stronger. It is also about sharing with the nation and world at large as to what being a soldier means.”
