Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kargil War Memorial in Dras to mark the 25th anniversary of Vijay Diwas, paying homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. Speaking at the Kargil Vijay Diwas Shradhanjali Samaroh, PM Modi highlighted the significance of the day, stating, “This day tells us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal. In Kargil, we not only won the war but also gave a wonderful example of truth, restraint, and strength. Falsehood and terror were defeated in the face of truth.”
Highlighting on the neighbours amid the prevalent attacks, “Pakistan has failed in all its nefarious attempts in the past. But Pakistan has not learned anything from its history. It is trying to keep itself relevant with the help of terrorism and proxy war. Today I am speaking from a place where the masters of terror can hear my voice directly, I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply…”
#WATCH | Ladakh: PM Narendra Modi says, "Pakistan has failed in all its nefarious attempts in the past. But Pakistan has not learned anything from its history. It is trying to keep itself relevant with the help of terrorism and proxy war. Today I am speaking from a place where… pic.twitter.com/HQbzjcVKVq
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
During the event, PM Modi also virtually inaugurated the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project. The project includes a 4.1-km-long twin-tube tunnel to be constructed at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, providing all-weather connectivity to Leh. Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world.
Significance of Vijay Diwas: The Kargil War concluded on July 26, 1999. Vijay Diwas, observed annually on this day, commemorates India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil district of Ladakh and honors the bravery of Indian soldiers. The war resulted in 527 Indian casualties, 1,363 wounded, and one prisoner of war, Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa.
Families of the soldiers also remembered the bravery and dedication of their loved ones and paid tribute to the soldiers. Father of Kargil war hero Captain Vikram Batra, G.L. Batra, laid a wreath at the Headquarters Western Command in Haryana, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers. As the nation celebrates the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, families of the soldiers remembered their bravery and dedication.
Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd.) expressed pride in the soldiers, stating, “Today, the people of the country are proud of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. We have gathered here at the memorial in Dras to pay homage to those brave soldiers.”
Subedar Major R.T. Rais Ahmed, who joined the Indian Army in 1997, also paid tribute, saying, “For the past three years, we have come here to pay tribute to our brave soldiers. The Army has become much stronger. On the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember all our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation.”
Veteran Chief Petty Officer Radio IND Navy Anant Joshi emphasized the importance of the anniversary, noting, “The 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas is very important for us. In which 527 people sacrificed their lives for the nation. The people of today’s generation should learn all this.”
Eshanika, daughter of an Army officer, praised PM Modi, saying, “PM Modi coming here is a really good thing. I am always a fan of him; he is my role model. Him coming here and paying tribute is a really good thing.”
Tashi Namgyal, who first spotted the Pakistani intruders, recounted, “I gave the report to the forces and after eight days, the war started.”
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