Kargil Vijay Diwas: Narendra Modi hails Indian Army, Arun Jaitley pays tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti

On the occasion of the 18th ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Indian armed forces for their prowess and sacrifices for the country while Defence Minister Arun Jaitley was at India Gate to pay tribute to the war heroes.

Honouring the armed forces in a series of tweets, the prime minister said, “Remembering our brave soldiers who fought gallantly for the pride of our nation & the security of our citizens during the Kargil War.”

Remembering our brave soldiers who fought gallantly for the pride of our nation & the security of our citizens during the Kargil War.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2017

Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds us of India’s military prowess & the great sacrifices our armed forces make while steadfastly keeping India safe.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2017

In Jammu and Kashmir’s Dras town, wreath-laying ceremony was held on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to soldiers who lost lives in Kargil War.

J&K (Dras): Wreath laying ceremony held to pay tribute to soldiers who lost lives in Kargil War at Dras War Memorial on Kargil Vijay Diwas pic.twitter.com/UbpzaTwKTR

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2017

Jaitley paid homage to the slain soldiers at India Gate in Delhi. The defence minister, along with Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Force chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Meanwhile, Union minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to laud the Indian Army for its potential.

Every year, the Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July to commemorate India’s victory against Pakistan in the Kargil War. In 1999, the Indian Army had taken control Himalayan posts in the Ladakh, after putting up a fight for 60 days. India lost 527 soldiers, while the Pakistani lost between 357 and 453 of their men,  The Times of India  reported, citing the official count.

#Delhi: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley pays tribute to soldiers who lost lives in Kargil War, at Amar Jawan Jyoti #KargilVijayDiwas pic.twitter.com/k3qXZUZrGL

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2017

Indian Army is a disciplined, determined and dedicated force. Kargil Vijay Diwas is a celebration of India's exemplary defence capabilities

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 26, 2017

The Indian Army has planned a range of events for Wednesday to pay homage to the gallant martyrs in all stations across the seven states under the area of responsibility of the its central command. The army will also honour participants of the war, ‘veer naris’, parents of martyrs, veterans and widows will.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will pay homage to the martyrs at ‘Smritika’ War Memorial in presence of senior serving and retired military officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks.

On the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas,  reported  The Indian Express , BJP president Amit Shah paid floral tributes to Kargil martyrs and felicitated war veterans at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force on Wednesday paid tributes to martyrs to mark the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Jaitley, along with Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Force chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate.

With inputs from PTI