Kargil Diwas, also known as Kargil Vijay Diwas, is celebrated annually on July 26 to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the conflict, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be paying a visit to the Kargil War Memorial to mark the day and pay tribute to the fallen brave hearts.
On July 26, 1999, India successfully ousted Pakistani forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops of Northern Kargil District in Ladakh. The initial Pakistani army denial of involvement, attributing the conflict to Kashmiri militants, was contradicted by documents left behind by casualties and testimony of POWs. Later, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Staff Pervez Musharraf’s Pakistan Army Chief acknowledged the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces led by General Ashraf Rashid.
The Kargil War Memorial was built by the Indian Army in memory of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Also known as the Dras War Memorial, it is located in the Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh near the Line of Control (LoC). PM Modi will arrive at the War Memorial in Dras at 9:20 am today.
On the eve of Kargil Diwas, PM Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his sentiments. He stated, “Tomorrow, 26th July, is a very special day for every Indian. We will mark the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. It is a day to pay homage to all those who protect our nation.” He further announced his visit to the Kargil War Memorial to pay tribute to India’s brave heroes. The post also highlighted the commencement of work for the Shinkun La Tunnel Project, emphasizing its importance for improved connectivity to Leh, especially during challenging weather conditions.
Just a day before Kargil Diwas, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan acknowledged the sacrifices made by the soldiers in the 1999 Kargil War, emphasizing that their efforts will “not go in vain.” General Chauhan further stated that the war’s legacy will “continue to inspire and motivate future generations of not only soldiers but also the youth of the nation.” (With agency inputs)
