Tribute on Kargil Vijay Diwas 2022 to Martyrs:

The momentous victory India had over Pakistan on July 26, 1999, is commemorated on this day, known as Kargil Vijay Diwas or Kargil Victory Day. In Kargil, Ladakh, the Indian Army effectively drove off Pakistani forces that had been trespassing on a hilltop on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC). On July 26, India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas to remember those who gave their lives in defence of the nation and to honour this victory.

History and importance:

Every year on July 26 around the nation, the Kargil Vijay Diwas is held to honour the Indian heroes who gave their life in defence of the country. On May 8, 1999, Pakistani troops penetrated Indian Tiger Hill in the Drass-Kargil region of Ladakh, sparking the start of the Kargil War in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir and other flashpoints along the Line of Control (LoC). In order to control both military and civilian traffic on the highway, the invaders had erected defences overlooking the NH 1A in the Kargil’s Drass and Batalik Sectors in the Ladakh region and had held them for several months prior to this.

In “Operation Vijay,” the Indian Army engaged Pakistani forces despite all the challenges and dangers posed by the nearly impassable terrain and extreme weather. Operation Safed Sagar, which supported the Indian Army, led to the entry of the Indian Air Force into the conflict. The IAF first utilised high-precision bombs to target the enemy during the conflict. The Indian Army declared victory on July 26, 1999, following combat that lasted almost three months on Kargil’s snowy peaks. Nevertheless, 500 gallant Indian soldiers lost their lives in the conflict while fighting in the Drass, Kaksar, Batalik, and Turtok regions.

Quotes from Combatants:

“Either I hoist the tricolour or I return covered in it, but I will return, that much is certain”. – Capt. Vikram Batra,

“winner of the Param Vir Chakra Some objectives are so admirable that failure is delightful. Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles PVC”

National War Memorial in Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute the Kargil War soldiers on this historic day and referred to Victory Day as a representation of Maa Bharati’s pride and glory. At the National War Memorial in Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the heads of the three services—Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari—paid respects to the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the 1999 Kargil War. The Indian Army flagged off the Kargil Vijay Divas motorcycle journey from Delhi to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Divas. The relatives of the martyrs have also been invited to the memorial service. A unique event has been planned for the flag-off ceremony at the war memorial. At Drass, a variety of cultural performances are scheduled. Events have been planned that include choreographed dance performances, national anthems, and other things.