Image: National War Memorial website

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial on July 26, the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, at 9:20 am and pay homage to 527 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the Kargil War of 1999, the latest war between India and Pakistan.

He will also carry out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project, virtually. The project is a 4.1 kilometre-long tunnel to be built at 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh.

Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world, providing not only the efficient movement of Indian armed forces and equipment but also fostering economic and social development of the union territory of Ladakh.

Why is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually on July 26 to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers who participated in ‘Operation Vijay’– the recapturing of positions captured by the Pakistan army in Kargil. 

This day commemorates India’s victory in reclaiming the mountain heights occupied by the Pakistani Army at over 17,000 feet above sea level, which concluded on July 26, 1999.

This war birthed three Param Vir Chakra – India’s highest military decoration – and 10 Maha Vir Chakra – India’s second highest military decoration.

The notable names that often come across include Captain Vikram Batra whose heroics were recently brought to life in the Hindi-language movie “Shershaah”, telling the story of Batra’s valour. The other names, remembered with the same gallantry, are of Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey and Grenadier Yogendra Yadav.

Testing climatic conditions, steep ascents of chilly Himalayas, and adverse terrains could not budge the Indian Army, who recaptured all the positions from the Pakistani Army, who had made it there disguised as Kashmiri militants.

While Captain Batra’s platoon of the 13th J&K Rifles recaptured Point 5140 – the Gun Hill and later, Point 4875; Lieutenant Pandey’s 1/11 Gorkha Rifles captured Jubar Top.

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav of the 18 Grenadiers was part of the team tasked with capturing Tiger Hill, a key strategic point.

Out of the three bravehearts, Grenadier Yadav was the only living recipient of Param Veer Chakra out of the three officers.

After 25 years, the country continues to take inspiration from the stories of the Kargil war, told by the mountains, as they echo the words of one of his bravest protectors, Batra’s words, “Yeh Dil Mange More!” (The heart wants more).