Sat Jul 26 03:10:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Nation Commemorates 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Salutes Fallen Heroes**
**New Delhi, July 26th:** India today marked the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day etched in the nation’s history as a symbol of courage, resilience, and victory. The day commemorates the Indian Armed Forces’ triumph over Pakistani intruders in the Kargil sector in 1999, reclaiming strategic peaks amidst treacherous terrain and intense enemy fire.
President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in paying tribute to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the motherland,” she stated. “This day symbolizes the extraordinary bravery, courage, and determination of our soldiers. Their dedication and supreme sacrifice will always inspire the countrymen.”
Echoing the sentiment, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized the day’s significance, stating, “Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the Indian Army’s unparalleled courage, valor, and unwavering resolve. We salute those heroes whose bravery made this historic victory possible. The Indian Army is always committed to protecting the sovereignty and self-respect of the nation.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings, acknowledging the valor of the soldiers who defended the nation’s honor.
Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Sanjay Seth, along with General Dwivedi, will participate in the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ celebrations in Dras, Kargil district, Ladakh, where the army will launch three key projects. The ministers have already arrived in Kargil and have participated in cultural events.
The Kargil conflict, initiated in May 1999 when Pakistani infiltrators crossed the Line of Control and occupied Indian posts, aimed to sever the vital Srinagar-Leh highway. However, India responded with “Operation Vijay,” a meticulously planned and executed operation characterized by unwavering determination.
Over two months, Indian soldiers fought tenaciously in challenging conditions, inch by inch, until all infiltrators were expelled and every post was brought back under Indian control. Today, the nation remembers and honors the heroes of 1999, reaffirming its unity and paying homage to the soldiers who displayed unparalleled bravery and sacrifice in the face of adversity.
First Piper 