New Delhi: The Indian Army marked the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas with solemn ceremonies and heartfelt tributes across the country, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War.
The central commemoration took place at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, where Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Sanjay Seth, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi paid homage. Families of martyrs, gallantry awardees, and senior military officials joined in to remember the 545 fallen heroes.
The commemorative events began on July 25 with a Battle Remembrance ceremony at Lamochen Viewpoint, where war veterans and serving personnel shared powerful, first-hand accounts of the conflict.
A poignant ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ programme followed, featuring the lighting of 545 lamps—one for each martyr—alongside a moving musical tribute by the Army band and multi-faith prayers symbolizing national unity in remembrance.
On July 26, a solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony was held at the War Memorial. In his keynote address, General Dwivedi praised the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers and reaffirmed the Army’s unwavering commitment to national security and peace.
He also shed light on recent achievements, including precision operations under Operation Sindoor, and the Army’s modernization efforts with new formations such as the ‘Rudra’ all-arms brigades, ‘Bhairav’ light commando battalions, ‘Shaktibaan’ artillery regiments, ‘Divyastra’ drone units, and indigenous air defence systems.
To honour the legacy of the fallen heroes, the Army inaugurated several initiatives, including the Indus Viewpoint in the Batalik sector, the e-Shradhanjali portal, and a QR-based audio guide system.
A Capability Display highlighted cutting-edge indigenous technologies in surveillance, firepower, and drone warfare.
In a nationwide outreach, Army teams visited the families of all 545 martyrs across India and Nepal. Cultural programmes, youth interactions, and digital campaigns recreated moments from the Kargil War, fostering patriotic pride among citizens.
As the sun set behind the rugged mountains of Dras, the Kargil War Memorial lit up in the colours of the Indian Tricolour—standing tall as a glowing tribute to the nation’s courage, unity, and sacrifice.
With inputs from IANS