Rajnath Singh on Kargil Vijay Diwas: ‘Kargil war was imposed on India, we were backstabbed by Pakistan’

“We know that as long as you are protecting us on the borders, no one can even have the courage to raise their eyes towards India. Not only Kargil, but many times since independence till today, your bravery has made the country proud from time to time,” he said in his speech.

“Even after winning the war on 26 July 1999, if our forces did not cross the LoC, it is because we are peace-loving, we believe in Indian values, and we have a commitment to international laws,” he said in the speech, adding, “…it does not mean that we could not cross the LoC. We could cross the LoC, we can cross the LoC, and will cross the LoC in future if need be. I assure the countrymen of this,” he added.

“Whenever there has been a war situation, our public has always supported the forces but that support has been indirect. I urge the public to be ready and mentally prepared to support the soldiers directly on the battlefield if the need arises,” Singh said.

Singh said the Kargil war was imposed on India, which was “backstabbed” by Pakistan. “The Kargil war was imposed on India. At that time, India had tried to solve the issues with Pakistan through talks… we are backstabbed by Pakistan,” he said.

“During Operation Vijay, the Indian Army sent a message not only to Pakistan but to the whole world that when it comes to our national interests, our Army will not back down at any cost. We are fully committed to safeguarding our national interests even today,” the minister said.

“Paid tributes to India’s Bravehearts at Kargil War Memorial in Dras. The Indian Armed Forces fought valiantly and many soldiers laid down their lives in the line of duty. The nation will remain indebted to their service and sacrifice,” he wrote on Twitter, sharing photographs of him saluting the memorial.

President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the leaders who paid their tributes on Twitter.

“Kargil Vijay Diwas brings to the fore the heroic saga of those wonderful brave hearts of India, who will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen. On this special day, I bow down and salute them from the bottom of my heart. Long live India!,” tweeted PM Narendra Modi in Hindi.

“Today, on the glorious occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, all the countrymen remember the victory achieved by the extraordinary valour of our armed forces. On behalf of a grateful nation, I pay tribute and bow to the memory of the fighters who paved the way for victory by sacrificing their lives to protect the country. Their heroic stories will always inspire generations to come. Jai Hind!” President Murmu said in a tweet in Hindi.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan too paid their tributes at the memorial.

The Indian Army had launched a fierce counterassault to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to mark India’s victory over Pakistan.

(With inputs from PTI)

From the homepage

Chhattisgarh liquor ‘scam’: ED says ‘syndicate apex’ Chaitanya Baghel handled Rs 1,000 cr of proceeds

‘Rs 92 lakh and gold found’ during raids at ACS officer Nupur Bora’s house, Himanta says she profited from sale of ‘Hindu’s lands to Muslims’

UP village tense after 19-year-old chasing ‘cattle smugglers’ found dead