Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha (LSTV/PTI File)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking on the 20th anniversary of Kargil conflict in Parliament, said that the neighbouring country is fighting a proxy war with Indian and can’t fight a full-fledged war. His comments came even as the Parliament paid tributes to Indian soldiers who drove out enemy forces and reclaimed Kargil heights. The nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas today. From mid-May to July 1999, the Indian armed forces engaged in some of the fiercest battles to take back the high-altitude posts captured by Pakistan in Operation Vijay.
On the occasion, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that Pakistan “will get a bloodier nose” if it engages in any such “misadventure” in the future. Kargil Vijay Divas images President Ram Nath Kovind, paying tribute to the Kargil soldiers, tweeted, “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, a grateful nation acknowledges the gallantry of our Armed Forces on the heights of Kargil in 1999. We salute the grit and valour of those who defended India, and record our everlasting debt to those who never returned, Jai Hind!”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this day reminds us of the “courage, bravery and dedication of our soldiers”, as he paid tribute to the “mighty warriors”.
Kargil Vijay Diwas Live Updates: General VP Malik, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis with Army personnel in Kargil in July 1999. (Express Archive)
Watch Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaking on Kargil Vijay Diwas in Lok Sabha, Friday. Singh said that Pakistan was waging a proxy war against india since it cannot fight a full-fledged war.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday paid tribute to the fallen soldiers on the 20th anniversary of the Kargil war by laying a wreath at the war memorial at the Army's 15 Corps headquarters in Kashmir's Badami Bagh cantonment here, officials said.
The President was scheduled to take part in the function at Drass War memorial in the morning but bad weather prevented him from reaching the venue.
"President Kovind paid tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the war memorial here," an Army official said. Drass had seen pitched battles between the Indian Army and a mix of Pakistani Army regulars and intruders for nearly two months in the summer of 1999. (PTI)
While speaking in Lok Sabha on Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Pakistan is fighting a proxy war with India and cannot fight a full-fledged war.
As the country commemorates 20 years of victory in the Kargil War, military veterans urged Indians not to forget the sacrifices made by the bravehearts and that the military ought to keep learning from past mistakes.
Air Marshal Subhash Bhojwani (Retd), who served as the Director of Air Operations (Offensive) during the Kargil War, said, “The support and attention of the civil citizens that the armed forces received during the Kargil War was enormous and certainly boosted the morale. But it is observed that such support is not always forthcoming and sustained. It will be really heartwarming if the efforts and sacrifices of the armed forces are continuously recognised and supported as against just for certain episodes.” READ MORE
Jammu & Kashmir: President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, on 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
Artillery and infantry were majorly employed in the Kargil War of 1999. In fact, one of the important reasons for India winning ‘Operation Vijay’ or the Kargil War was the presence and perseverance of these forces.
On Kargil Vijay Diwas today, celebrating 20 years of India’s victory, Major Ashok Sharma (retired), then a senior major commanding independent battery in the infantry, speaks to indianexpress.com about the various uncertainties of what was an “unprepared war”. FULL STORY HERE
Meanwhile, Head Constable Satpal Singh, who was awarded Vir Chakra in the Kargil War, has been promoted to Assistant Sub Inspector. his promotion was announced by Punjab CM Amarinder Singh. Twenty years ago, Satpal had killed Captain Karnal Sher Khan who got Pakistan's highest gallantry award.
Mumbai: Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis pays tribute at Shaheed Samarak in Colaba, on 20th anniversary of Vijay Diwas
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday warned Pakistan against attempting any “such misadventure” again. Infiltration along the Line of Control has seen a declining trend because of actions taken by the Army and Pakistam has now been put on the backfoot, General Rawat said.
“I am quite sure that the adversary will never attempt this again. In fact this was a big misadventure undertaken by the Pakistan Army in 1999. They didn’t appreciate the will and intent of the Indian political establishment and the Indian Armed Forces, that they will never allow them to succeed, and no matter what heights they capture, the Indian Army will always get back to them and recapture those heights,” the Army Chief said in Drass on the sidelines of a function on Thursday. “My warning to Pakistan is that do not ever attempt such an misadventure, anytime in the future, anywhere, anytime, do not think of it.” READ MORE
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in Dras: I want to convey to our countrymen that you can be rest assured that any task given to defence services will always be accomplished no matter how difficult it is. Our soldiers will continue to man and guard our borders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil war, as the nation observed 20th anniversary of the conflict. "I pray from my heart for all the heroic sons of Mother India (Maa Bharati) on Kargil Vijay Divas. This day reminds us of the courage, bravery and dedication of our soldiers," he tweeted.
He paid tributes to the "mighty warriors who sacrificed everything to defend the motherland". India's victory in the war is observed as Kargil Vijay Divas.
In another tweet, Modi shared pictures of his visit to the area during the conflict and his interaction with soldiers. "During the Kargil war in 1999, I had the opportunity to go to Kargil and show solidarity with our brave soldiers," he tweeted. The prime minister said that in 1999, he was working for the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
"The visit to Kargil and interactions with soldiers are unforgettable," he wrote. In the photographs, he is seen interacting with Army men and meeting wounded soldiers. (PTI)
"Let's pay homage to the Kargil martyrs & salute the courage, valour & sacrifice of our bravehearts. Let's remember the supreme sacrifice made by brave soldiers of India, to uphold & safeguard the integrity of the nation," the Indian Air Force tweeted.
To commemorate the 20th year of Kargil Vijay diwas, Suryakiran aerobatic team displayed it's signature manoeuvres at AFS, Bidar. School Children participated & interacted with the pilots & IAF personnel later.
Kargil war 20th anniversary: President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Drass cancelled due to bad weather conditions. He will be now attending function at Army's 15 corps headquarters in Srinagar.
20th Kargil Vijay Divas being celebrated at Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Jammu & Kashmir.
At a road intersection in Bhawanigarh, a small town in Sangrur district of Punjab, Head Constable Satpal Singh is busy directing traffic. But a close look at his uniform tells you he is no ordinary traffic policeman. On his shirt, he wears four rows of medal ribands, including one that’s half blue-half orange. The Vir Chakra.
Twenty years ago, Satpal Singh was a Sepoy, battling Pakistan Army’s counter-attacks on Tiger Hill in which he killed Captain Karnal Sher Khan of the Northern Light Infantry and three others — Sher Khan was later conferred the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award, on the recommendation of the Indian brigade commander who vouched for his bravery on the icy heights.
He was part of the 8 Sikh team of two officers, four JCOs and 46 ORs (other ranks), tasked to help the 19 Grenadiers capture Tiger Hill. READ MORE
Indian Army pays tribute to soldiers killed in 1999 Kargil war
On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Surya Kiran aerobatic team displayed their signature manoeuvres at AFS, Bidar, Karnataka
Meet Havildar (now Head Constable) Satpal Singh, Vir Chakra, who grappled with Pak Army Capt Karnal Sher Khan in hand to hand fight before killing him and three others. He is now a traffic constable in Punjab Police. Read More
Havildar (now Head Constable) Satpal Singh, Vir Chakra, grappled with Pak Army Capt Karnal Sher Khan in hand to hand fight before killing him and three others. He is now a traffic constable in Punjab Police.
President Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted on the occasion: "On Kargil Vijay Diwas, a grateful nation acknowledges the gallantry of our Armed Forces on the heights of Kargil in 1999. We salute the grit and valour of those who defended India, and record our everlasting debt to those who never returned. Jai Hind!"
PM Modi on Friday paid tributes of the soldiers who lost their lives in Kargil war.