Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 26: The 18th anniversary of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas ‘ culminated at War Memorial Dras with the paying of rich tributes to the Kargil war heroes by the GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen DR Anbu in presence of several top Army officers and other ranks in Kargil sector today.
The proceedings opened with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Dras War Memorial led by Lt Gen Anbu. Gallantry award winners of the Kargil conflict and next of kin of martyrs, Veer Naris, senior Army officers and civil dignitaries also paid tributes to the martyrs. This was followed by a pledge taken by all present at the function to rededicate themselves to the cause of the Nation.
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The event was celebrated with full military decorum and solemnity. The GOC-in-C while talking to the media said that the commemoration is the Army’s modest homage to the martyrs and a way of remembering the contribution of the units and the formations in the conflict that gave India its finest victory in recent times.
A ceremony was also held at Nagrota Garrison near Jammu to commemorate the Kargil Vijay Diwas. Lt Gen AK Sharma, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps paid floral tributes to the martyrs and brave soldiers in a wreath laying ceremony held at “Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal ” at Nagrota. The notes of the bugle playing the Last Post were testimony to the valour and the supreme sacrifice of martyrs and brought back somber memories of those days.
The GOC in his message to the troops, exhorted to rededicate themselves to the Nation and excel in all future endeavors. This day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our soldiers towards flushing out infiltrators from our sacred motherland. It was on this day when Indian Army with its inexorable courage, indomitable spirit and irrepressible valour inflicted defeat on Pakistan.
Srinagar based Chinar Corps of the Army today paid rich tributes to the martyrs of ” Operation Vijay” which was launched in 1999 to evict Pakistani Army from Kargil heights.
Chinar Corps, which was at the fore front in conduction the operations, joined the proud nation in remembering the Kargil martyrs and celebrated the 18th Kargil Vijay Divas.
Corps Commander, Lt Gen JS Sandhu and all ranks of the Corps paid homage to the Kargil heroes in a solemn ceremony held at war memorial, Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar.
Tiger Division celebrated 18thKargil Vijay Diwas, today at ‘Balidan Stambh’ in remembrance of supreme sacrifice of soldiers during Kargil War of 1999. Over 350 officers and jawans including Veterans attended the event.
The event commenced with wreath laying ceremony at ‘Balidan Stambh’ by Major General Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, General Officer Commanding, Tiger Division. All officers and jawans including veterans paid homage to soldiers who valiantly fought and laid down their lives to safeguard the sovereignty of our country in the highest traditions.
The Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform) Headquarters based at Reasi, in a solemn ceremony today, paid homage to the brave-hearts who laid down their lives fighting in the icy heights of Kargil.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is remembered as the day when the Indian Army with its inexorable courage, indomitable spirit and irrepressible valour, defeated the enemy forces, who had intruded into the Indian territory. This conflict was the most serious military engagement between the two neighbours since the war of 1971, in which the enemy had to face a crushing blow to its nefarious intentions.
On the occasion of the anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the GOC paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of all Officers, JCOs and other ranks. A two- minute silence was observed as a mark of respect for the slain valiant soldier who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.
168 Infantry Brigade Samba, remembered its brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice and brought glory to the Nation on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Commander Military Station Samba, officers and all ranks paid their homage to Kargil martyrs at the Samba War Memorial today.
Vijay Divas, marking Indian victory over its archrival Pakistan was jointly celebrated by Ex-servicemen and porters of Kargil War at Nirdosh Chowk Akhnoor by paying rich tribute to 527 army and 7 civilian martyrs of 45 days intense fighting in Kargil in 1999.
The function started with two minutes silence and prayers in the memory of the martyrs who laid down their life for the nation. SDM Akhnoor Sunaina Sharma also attended the program. The program was held under the supervision of KP Singh of Tanda Tigers.
The 18th Kargil Diwas was celebrated by the Rashtriya Rifles(RR) Sector with patriotic fervour and zeal under the aegis of Delta Force today. On the occasion, glowing floral tributes were paid to the martyrs of the Kargil war.
Among the prominent persons who were present during the wreath laying ceremony at the Chanderkot War Memorial included Sector Commander, Rashtriya Rifles, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Tariq Hussain Ganai, SSP, Ramban, Mohan Lal , several senior army officers and soldiers besides 30 war veterans of Ramban district.
Meanwhile, the day was also celebrated by 23RR and 12 RR at their respective headquarters wherein besides wreath laying ceremony by the officers and soldiers led by their Commanding Officers in presence of 10 and 8 war veterans or ex-servicemen respectively besides prominent citizens. The 12 RR also organised a 10 Km `Run-for-Fun’ at Lambhar in Banihal wherein 70 boys participated.
Army organised a ‘Run for Kargil’ at Bhaderwah, today to pay tribute to the martyrs of Kargil ‘Operation Vijay’. A 2km run was undertaken by the student community and youths of Bhaderwah on the remembrance of the martyrs. To pay tribute to the martyrs of Operation Vijay (Kargil), more than 1000 students from schools and colleges of Bhadarwah and nearby villages ran from New Bus Stand, Bhadarwah to Gatha Park, Bhadarwah. After culmination of ‘Run for Kargil’ a wreath laying ceremony on the war memorial of brave soldier, Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, Ashok Chakra (Posthumous), Vir Chakra, Sena Medal was organised followed by observing 2 minute mourn in remembrance of the martyrs.
Army also conducted “Victory Run ” from Pul Doda along Chenab river. The run was flagged off by Sector Commander in presence of Commanding Officer Rashtriya Rifles Battalion and SSP Doda. It was zealously contested by 250 students including 25 girl students of JNV Arnora and Higher Secondary School Ghat. Volunteers of NGO Chenab Rescuers along with locals also participated in the run.
To commemorate the victory of Indian Army in Kargil, the J&K Freedom Fighters’ Association (JKFFA) held an impressive function at Dogra Shaurya Sthal, Ampbhalla Jammu. The function was organized by JKFFA president Ved Gandotra where Speaker Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest.
Floral tributes were paid to the Martyrs who laid their lives in the Kargil war and candles were lit in their honour. A two- minute silence was also observed in respect of departed souls.
Speaking on the occasion, the members remembered all the Martyrs, who were young and dynamic soldiers of the country and brave sons of their parents. The members said that the Indian Army was the best Army in the World and we all were very proud of it.
MV International School celebrated the 18th anniversary of the Kargil War victory in the school premises today. A special programme was organized to pay tributes to the heroes of the war. Lt Col AP Singh, HQ 168 INF Brigade, was the chief guest of the occasion. The program started with a power point presentation by Antriksh Jangral (9th B) & Kanika Chadgal (11th B). Everyone remembered the heroes who laid their lives to protect the country from intrusion of enemies.
Gourav Abrol, Director MVIS motivated the children to do their best to safeguard the interest of the nation. K L Dogra, Principal also spoke on the occasion.
In sequence to memorize the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and on the occasion of ‘Vijay Divas”, the ‘Krishan Singh Memorial Welfare Committee -Urlian” along with president of the committee SSP (Retd) Mahadeep Singh Jamwal paid floral tributes in a function organized by “Purab Sainik Sewa Parishad (J&K) Udhampur”.
The occasion was largely attended by all sections of the society. The committee urged upon the Government to take to the logical conclusion the problems of ‘Kargil Potters’ who also registered their presence on the occasion. A strategy was worked out by president of the committee along with Col Krishan Singh Juneja founder of the Parishad to bring into lime light those soldiers who have sacrificed their life and are in oblivion.
NCP members in a meeting held under the chairmanship of veteran leader and former minister Thakur Randhir Singh, state NCP chief paid homage to heroes of Kargil war 9 . Mr Singh said this day is a golden day of Indian history because Indian Army achieved fourth glorious victory over its enemy Pakistan which lasted for 85 days and the nation lost 527 brave officers ,men and more than seven civilian porters who gave their today for our tomorrow.
Mr Singh while paying rich tributes to the brave soldiers who fought on the high altitude peaks of Himalayas in Ladakh ranges at height between 16500 and 19000 ft said great courage was displayed by the brave Indian soldiers during this unique war.
Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd, India’s second largest oil marketing company remembered the sacrifice of Pawan Kumar who got martyred during Kargil War in 1999 by way of felicitating the customers and family members of the brave heart.
While Shaheed Pawan Kumar met the martyrdom, BPCL in 2002 commissioned a retail outlet in Kathua by awarding the dealership to his widow, Reeta Kumari under the Corpus scheme. While the customers at this Retail Outlet expressed their trust in the business acumen of the dealer, even BPCL did not keep any stone unturned and renovated the retail outlet recently by upgrading the facilities at RO.
To pay tribute to the brave Martyr , BPCL conducted a get together at the Petrol Pump and felicitated the prominent customers along with family the brave heart.
Mayank Singh, Area Sales officer, while welcoming the guests described the Q&Q, Automation and other steps being taken to maintain the sales of the RO.
Rajesh Sharma, Territory Manager (Retail) J&K expressed his gratitude towards the Indian army’s welfare department, who were specially invited on the occasion and also thanked the customers who contributes towards the family of the martyr by fuelling here.
Bharat Bhushan , ADC Kathua also participated in the program.
To pay tribute to the martyrs of Kargil War, Forum for Awareness on National Security (FANS) organized a seminar on “National Security and Role of Indian Armed Forces viz-a-viz Citizens of India at Bishnah today.
Indresh Kumar, chief patron FANS was the main speaker while Kavinder Gupta, Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly was the chief guest and Air Marshal (Retd) Dr RC.Bajpai, National president FANS and Lt Gen (Retd.) RN.Singh National Vice president, FANS were the guests of honour in the seminar.
While paying tributes to the Martyrs, Indresh Kumar said that we all should respect and honour our brave soldiers who are serving at borders for the safety and security of all countrymen. W should not forget the dedication and commitment of our soldiers who are facing great hardships and living in a difficult terrain for the Nation. But at the same time it’s duty of all of the citizens to shoulder their responsibilities, in respect of internal security and the changing environment. He cautioned that our Nation is facing both internal and external challenges, on one hand Pakistan and China are creating a situation of insecurity and fear through infiltration and illegal migration.
Kavinder Gupta, said that we got freedom after supreme sacrifices of our soldiers so that our youth and adult both need to be addressed about the security of the society. He added that students and youth need to be taught as to how they can contribute towards the National security.
Dr RCBajpai and Lt Gen. (Retd.) RN.Singh both in their address said that since independence the state has witnessed assaults on its security from neighboring countries as well as anti-national elements within. They also informed about the activities of FANS which disseminate information regarding all aspects of National security, including internal, external, regional and global security and create awareness among the masses.
Earlier, Ashwani Sharma, Ex-MLA and convener of the seminar in his welcome address said that aims of FANS is to motivate and involve the citizens of country for active participation in the security of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Kargil War victory day was also observed in Kathua town. On the occasion, the J&K Ex-servicemen Welfare Association paid rich tribute to Kargil war heroes at Shaheedi Chowk Kathua.
The Ex-servicemen drawn from various areas led by the Association chairman Col (Retd) PL Choudhary assembled at Shaheedi Chowk and attended the wreath laying ceremony. They paid floral tributes to Kargil war heroes and recalled their services and sacrifice for the sake of the nation.
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