Indian nation paying homage to Kargil martyrs of Kargil war on 10th anniversary celebration

Drass(J&K)/New Delhi, July 26 (Vijay Kumar) – The Indian nation pays its homage to its warriors, on the eve of the Vijay Diwas, the victory day.
The Indian nation pays its homage to its warriors, on the eve of the Vijay Diwas, the victory day. Over two hundred serving soldiers and families of martyrs gathered at Umbala in Drass sector of Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday to see for themselves the Karma Bhumi of their beloved ones. The two day celebrations kicked off with a detailed briefing by major general S.K. Khaturia commander of the Kargil division. Senior army officers and several dignitaries attended this national function.

Manmohan Singh,Prime Minister of India on Sunday led the nation to pay homage to the Kargil martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi on the 10th anniversary of Kargil war. The Defence Minister was also present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister wrote in the visitor’s book at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi,"I join the entire nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity." "The best tribute we can pay to the gallant officers and jawans is to dedicate ourselves to the gigantic task of nation building and work steadfastly to protect the unity and integrity of our nation," he added.

It may be mentioned here that as many as 533 soldiers and officers had sacrificed their lives in Kargil war while re-capturing 13 hill points from Pakistani troops after they had sneaked into Indian posts and occupied the heights in 1999. Indian Air Force had also launched its Operation ‘Safed Sagar’ to evict the enemy troops sitting on the peak. It had lost two MiG 27s and one Mi-17 helicopter in the battle.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Operation Vijay, the Army is holding a series of events in the Kargil-Dras sector, which are being attended by the officers who took part in the war, gallantry award winners and their families and senior Army officials.

"Army and Air Force personnel will be heli-dropped on the recaptured peaks, which will be lighted during the night and photo exhibition, beating retreat and felicitation of war awardees will be the highlights of the programme," Army officials said.

As the vehicular convoy meanders on the Drass-Kargil highway, General VP Malik, the chief who won us the war, looks with moist eyes at the peaks which are full of stories of blood and gut and valour, where over five hundred of his brave Indian troops laid down their lives so that we Indians could achieve our quest for being a global power.

Ten years down the line, things have changed. India is rubbing shoulders with the best the world has to offer.

The celebrations kicked off yesterday with a detailed briefing by Major General SK Khajuria, Commander of the Kargil Division, explaining in detail how the war was won, the sung and the unsung heroes, the role of the gunners and the logisticians besides the local people.

In a fitting background, the Tiger Hill – the game clincher – and the famous Batra Top rise above other mountains with the Tololing Ridge to their right, showing how the levels of human endurance were breached time and again.

As the Air Force helicopters drop off soldiers in precise fashion at these dizzying heights, the look of awe and a silent appreciation for the air warriors, who helped in breaking up the enemys will, passes the lips of all present. Air Vice Marshal J Chauhan, Air Officer Commanding Jammu and Kashmir, looks on proudly.

The present Corps Commander of Leh based 14 Corps, Lieutenant General SK Singh, who has previously commanded the prestigious Siachen Brigade, meets his old comrades and the kith and kin of the martyrs, with a thank you in his heart and a solemn prayer on his lips. His Fire and Fury Corps was raised as a consequence of the war.