India marked the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas with heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers who secured the nation’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War. On this day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi, paying homage to the fallen heroes whose courage and sacrifice ensured India’s triumph. In his message, he described the Kargil victory as a timeless example of bravery, noting that the National War Memorial stands as a living symbol of their sacrifice. On X, he highlighted the soldiers’ extraordinary grit and determination in defending the nation’s honor in challenging terrains, stating that their supreme sacrifice remains a reminder of the Armed Forces’ unwavering resolve.
In Dras, Kargil, a Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra was organized by Mera Yuva Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Led by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, the 1.5-km march from Himabass Public High School to Government Higher Secondary School, Bhimbet saw participation from over 1,000 youth, serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, families of fallen heroes, and civil society members. The Ministers, accompanied by 100 youth volunteers, proceeded to the Kargil War Memorial, where Shri Sanjay Seth laid a wreath. In a post on X, he expressed confidence that the soldiers’ stories of valor would continue to inspire future generations, keeping the flame of patriotism alive.
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi also paid tribute at the Kargil War Memorial, honoring the fallen. At the NWM, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani laid wreaths, saluting the bravehearts’ indomitable spirit. General Chauhan emphasized the soldiers’ unparalleled bravery and patriotism, noting that their legacy, reinforced by the success of Operation Sindoor, underscores the triumph of jointness and courage over adversity. He saluted the serving personnel, veterans, and veer naris for their enduring commitment.
Admiral Tripathi described the bravehearts’ legacy as a testament to “Service before Self,” inspiring future generations and those in the Defence Forces. General Dwivedi called Kargil Vijay Diwas a symbol of the Indian Army’s courage and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national sovereignty. Air Chief Marshal Singh termed the NWM a sacred symbol of remembrance, stating that the Indian Air Force remains dedicated to upholding the bravehearts’ traditions of courage and duty. Defence Secretary Singh noted that the day reminds the nation of the Armed Forces’ valor, with the NWM keeping their courage alive in public memory. Lieutenant General Subramani added that the soldiers’ selfless service would inspire future generations, with the Armed Forces committed to serving with the same dedication.