President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister pays homage to soldiers on Vijay Diwas

New Delhi: The President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh, on the occacion of 22nd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, paid homage to the indomitable courage and sacrifice of Indian Armed Forces personnel during Kargil conflict in 1999.

Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Baramulla as a Chief Guest and paid homage by laying wreath at the Dagger War Memorial in a solemn ceremony. He was accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha and Lieutenant General DP Pandey, General Officer Commanding Chinar Corps.

Earlier in the morning bad weather forced the cancellation of President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Drass in Ladakh to pay homage to martyrs on the 22nd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. It is for the second time in three years that the President could not fly to Drass for the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations. According to the officials President's flight could not take off to Drass due to bad weather. The officials said the plan B was put into motion following the cancellation of the plan A (visit to Drass) and the President visited the Baramulla War Memorial in north Kashmir to pay homage to the martyrs.

In 2019, bad weather had prevented Kovind from visiting Drass and instead, he paid tributes by laying a wreath at a war memorial at the Army's 15 Corps headquarters in Badamibagh here.The celebrations were not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President of India today interacted with the soldiers of Baramulla Division and wished them luck for all future endeavors. After visiting Baramulla, the Hon’ble President of India proceeded to Gulmarg and visited the High Altitude Warfare School. He was briefed on the various facets of training being carried out at the High Altitude Warfare School.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid homage to all those who lost their lives in Kargil protecting our nation on Kargil Vijay Diwas. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said; "We remember their sacrifices.We remember their valour. Today, on Kargil Vijay Diwas we pay homage to all those who lost their lives in Kargil protecting our nation. Their bravery motivates us every single day.

In New Delhi at the National War Memorial Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh paid homage to the fallen heroes. The Raksha Mantri laid wreath in the honour of the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation during India’s victory in ‘Operation Vijay’ in 1999, also known as Kargil conflict.

In his message in the visitors’ book at the National War Memorial, Rajnath Singh recalled the valour of the bravehearts of the Kargil conflict, saying that nation will never forget the sacrifice made by the gallant heroes of Indian Armed Forces. He added that the grateful nation will always be indebted to their courage and continue to follow their ideals. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Army Staff General MM Naravane, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain also paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial on the occasion. Senior civil and military officials of Ministry of Defence were also present on the occasion.