Kargil Vijay Diwas: At Dras War Memorial, PM Modi leads country in remembering soldiers

The Kargil War officially ended 25 years ago, on July 26, 1999. The Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on this day, commemorates India’s victory against Pakistan. (PTI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kargil War Memorial in Dras to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vijay Diwas and pay homage to the soldiers who were martyred during the 1999 war. (PTI Photo)

The PM will also carry out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project, virtually. Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1-km-long twin-tube tunnel which will be constructed at an altitude of around 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. (PTI Photo)

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others at the National War Memorial on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’. (PTI Photo)

Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan interacts with troops during a visit to the Kargil Sector. (PTI Photo)

The history of Kargil Vijay Diwas dates back to the war between India and Pakistan in early 1971, which led to the formation of East Pakistan as an independent nation called Bangladesh. (PTI Photo)

The two countries continued to clash with each other post this, including a fight to dominate the Siachen Glacier by deploying military outposts on the surrounding mountain ranges. They even tested their nuclear weapons in 1998, resulting in a high-time animosity between the two. (PTI Photo)

So, to maintain peace and stability and resolve tension, they called for a bilateral peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue by signing the Lahore Declaration in February 1999. (PTI Photo)

The Indian soldiers secured this victory after a three-month conflict on July 26, 1999. However, the war resulted in casualties on both sides, with the Indian forces losing nearly 490 officers, soldiers, and jawans. (PTI Photo)

In remembrance of India’s accomplishment in the war, Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. (PTI Photo)