Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 26: The Indian Army today commemorated 23 years of its victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999.
Various events to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ were held at Northern Command in Udhampur, Tiger Division in Jammu, Srinagar, parts of Kashmir and Ladakh besides other formations in Rajouri, Poonch and Doda.
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A wreath laying ceremony was held at War Memorial, Northern Command Headquarters. The day saw top Army officers, joined by the JCOs and soldiers, paying rich tributes to those martyred in the war, a Defence spokesperson said.
Major General K Vinod Kumar laid a wreath in the morning at ‘Dhruv War Memorial’ at Northern Command headquarters.
“In remembrance of supreme sacrifices of soldiers during Kargil war, the Tiger Division organised the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at ‘Tiger War Memorial’ and Balidan Stambh in Jammu, today,” the spokesperson said.
Major General Neeraj Gosain, GOC, Tiger Division, and all ranks of the Tiger division paid their tribute.
Lt Col Rishma Sarin, wife of Major Mohit Sharma, also paid tribute to the war martyrs. Brigadier Manpervesh Herr, Commander Shivalik Brigade, placed a wreath at Balidan Stambh, near University in Jammu.
A large number of veterans and Jammu residents were also present on the occasion to remember the Kargil war heroes.
A 10 km-marathon was organised by prominent citizens of Jammu to express their gratitude to the gallant soldiers, the spokesperson said.
The run culminated at Balidan Stambh, with runners carrying the national flag and raising slogans for soldiers, he said.
Col (Retd) Virender Kumar Sahi, Col ( Retd) Sham Lal, Capt (Retd) Shamsher Singh, Havaldar ( Retd) Harbans Lal and Hav (Rtd) Bachan Singh, who took part in the Kargil War gave chilling accounts of their experiences during the event.
Meanwhile, Army’s Srinagar based Chinar Corps also celebrated the 23rd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas today.
The Chinar Corps today on this historic day remembered the 527 gallant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.
“We also salute the serving soldiers and veterans who took part in the tough battle at treacherous heights along the Line of Control,” the spokesman said.
General Officer Commanding Chinar Corps, Lt Gen ADS Aujla, on behalf of all ranks of the Corps paid homage to the Kargil War heroes in a solemn ceremony held at the War Memorial in Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar.
The proceedings included brief narration of the Kargil War highlighting the saga of courage and valour of the martyrs, prayers by religious teachers and laying of wreath in proud remembrance of the valiant heroes who participated in the operations.
Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’ in May 1999 to evict the Pakistani Army intruders from Kargil heights. Intruders from Northern Light Infantry (Part of Pakistani Regular Army) had treacherously occupied these heights in an attempt to endanger the vital Srinagar-Leh National Highway. After over 60 days of war, the Indian Army with Chinar Corps at the forefront of the battle triumphed over Pakistan Army and chased them out completely from the heights of Drass, Mushkoh, Kaksar and Batalik.
To commemorate the day, Manawar Yodha brigade of Crossed Swords Division organized Run for Fun even and screened a motivational video showcasing valour of soldiers during Kargil War for the youth of the border area of Akhnoor at village Hamirpur Kona. The event was organized to pay tributes to the soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during this war.
At Dharmund in district Doda also, the Army celebrated the day by paying homage to the fallen heroes as the Maj Gen Ajay Kumar, GOC CIF (Delta), along with force troops laid wreath at the local war memorial. The GOC extended his greetings to all the ranks on this occasion.
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