President Ram NathKovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister NarendraModi led the nation in paying homage to martyrs on the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ today.
Tributes were paid in the Parliament, at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, the Tiger War memorial in Jammu as well as across states as a grateful nation saluted its soldiers.
“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, every Indian acknowledges the efforts and gallantry of our Armed Forces. We salute the ultimate sacrifice of the martyrs of Kargil, and record our everlasting debt to their families,” the president said.
Vice- President Naidu said he saluted the valour, courage and sacrifice of the brave jawans that resulted in a “spectacular victory for our country in the Kargil War in 1999.
Vijay Diwas helps in reminding our countrymen of the bravery of soldiers who are allthe time alert in extremely difficult situations and environment in defence of our country and for the safety and security our lives,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi said a grateful nation pays homage to all those who served the nation during Operation Vijay and remembered former prime minister AtalBehari Vajpayee for the leadership he provided during the operation.
“Our brave soldiers ensured that India remains protected and gave a befitting answer to those who tried to vitiate the atmosphere of peace.
DefenceministerNirmalaSitharaman and the three service chiefs — Army chief General BipinRawat, Naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa — laid wreaths and paid tributes to the martyrs on the 19th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas at the Amar JawanJyoti in New Delhi. “We salute all the bravehearts who proudly protect the nation,” the defence minister said.
Other ministers, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Minister SushmaSwaraj and Union Minister ArunJaitley also paid tributes.
In the RajyaSabha, Naidu, who is the chairman of the House, paid tributes on Kargil Vijay Diwas. PTI