Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with MoS Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff & Secretary Department of Military Affairs General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M.M. Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria paid homage to the fallen heroes at National War Memorial on the 21st anniversary of India’s victory in ‘Operation Vijay’, also known as Kargil conflict on Sunday.
The Indian armed forces’ victory in Kargil on 26 July 1999 is a saga of strong political, military and diplomatic actions. The nation celebrates this day with pride, honour and inspiration. At National War memorial, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and other senior civil and military officials of the Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion.
Rajnath Singh wrote a message in the visitors’ book at the War Memorial, “On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas today, I pay my obeisance and salutation to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives to protect motherland from the enemy. The country will always remember the courage, valour, restraint & determination of our fallen heroes and will march ahead taking inspiration from their supreme sacrifice.” He said Kargil Vijay Divas is not just a day but a celebration of the courage and valour of the soldiers of this country.
On this day in 1999 Indian Army successfully recaptured posts in Kargil sector which had been occupied by Pakistan. The Kargil War or as referred — Operation Vijay was fought at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet, wherein 1,042 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives and 527 Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Brave soldiers of the Indian Army had overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, hostile terrain, inclement weather, and the enemy occupying dominating heights, to win the conflict with the help of Indian Air Force, which gave the air support. On this momentous occasion, the proud nation is celebrates this victory in memory of fallen heroes with events covering a myriad spectrum all across the country.
At NCC Directorate
Due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic, this year the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020 was celebrated as a Webinar by Directorate NCC. The aim of the webinar was to foster spirit of patriotism and spread awareness about the bravery of Indian Armed Forces in challenging conditions. The activities conducted under webinar were online ‘national pledge taking ceremony’, ‘video presentation on Kargil war and Param Veer Chakra awardees’ and video presentation on ‘Nation War Memorial’ and ‘Southern Command War memorial’.
An approximate strength of more than 500 cadets and Associate NCC Officers across Maharashtra State took part in ‘Kargil Online Vijay Diwas Webinar’ on 26 July morning. The Online Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020 was conducted by 2 Maharashtra Battalion NCC under the overall guidance of Brigadier Suneel Limaye, Group Commander, Pune for the directorate.
At Southern Army Command
To commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces and to pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs, a solemn wreath laying ceremony was organised at the National War Memorial, Pune on the occasion of the 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas. To honour the martyrs a wreath on behalf of all ranks of Southern Command was laid at the Memorial by Lieutenant General C.P. Mohanty, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and Southern Command. Wreaths were also laid by Lieutenant General D.S. Ahuja, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Southern Command and Major General A.K. Hukku (Retired). The ceremony was conducted in presence of a limited number of military personnel of Headquarters Southern Command and Kargil War Veterans of Pune ensuring precautions for Covid-19 pandemic.