Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kargil War Memorial in Dras to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Vijay Diwas and pay homage to the soldiers who were martyred during the 1999 war. Speaking at the Shradhanjali Samaroh there, he said, “In Kargil, we not only won the war, we also set a wonderful example of truth, restraint, and strength. Falsehood and terror were defeated in the face of truth.” Aiming Pakistan, he added, “Pakistan has faced defeat for all its immoral and shameful attempts in the past. However, it has not learned from its history.”
“It is trying to maintain its relevance through terrorism and proxy wars. But today, I am speaking from the very place where the masters of terrorism can hear me clearly! I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their sinister plans will never succeed,” PM Modi said. Speaking on the significance of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, he said, “This day tells us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal.”
On 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, the nation honours the gallant efforts and sacrifices of our Armed Forces. We stand eternally grateful for their unwavering service.https://t.co/xwYtWB5rCV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2024
PM Defends Agnipath scheme
Defending the controversial Agnipath scheme, he said, “Some people have made this issue a subject of politics.”
“The Agnipath scheme is an example of the necessary reforms carried out by the Army. Some people used to think that the Army meant saluting politicians and doing parades, but for us, the Army meant the faith of 140 crore citizens. The goal of Agnipath is to keep the Army young and continuously fit for war. Unfortunately, some people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a subject of politics. These are the same people who weakened our Army by committing scams worth thousands of crores,” PM Modi asserted, subtly targeting the Opposition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Dras, where he visited the Kargil War Memorial and the Veer Bhoomi to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vijay Diwas and pay homage to the soldiers who were martyred during the war.
PM Modi Conducts ‘First Blast’ of Shinkun La Tunnel
The Prime Minister carried out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project in Ladakh virtually. The project involves building a 4.1 km long Twin-Tube tunnel at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road. The aim is to provide round-the-clock connectivity to Leh, and once completed, it will become the world’s highest tunnel. The tunnel will not only facilitate the swift and efficient movement of our armed forces and equipment but also contribute to the economic and social development of Ladakh.
Prime Minister said that through the Shinkun La Tunnel, the union territory will remain connected with the country throughout the year and every season. “This tunnel will open doors of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh, and the tunnel will further make their lives easier as the numerous hardships they face due to the region’s extreme weather will be eased,” he said.
Significance of Vijay Diwas
The Kargil War officially ended 25 years ago, on July 26, 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually on this day to commemorate India’s victory against Pakistan in Ladakh’s Kargil district and the sacrifices of its soldiers, who faced more than just the Pakistani infiltrators to emerge victorious in Kargil. According to official figures, Indian casualties at the end of the war were 527 dead, 1,363 wounded, and one prisoner of war – Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa.
India’s victory in the Kargil War was not just against Pakistani combatants but also against the challenging terrain and harsh climate. The conflict began with infiltrators from Pakistan crossing the LoC and occupying high positions in Ladakh’s Kargil district. Initially believed to be jihadis, it became evident over the following weeks that the Pakistani state was involved due to the large scale of the invasion. The Indian Army was first alerted to the infiltrators on May 3. After that, the rest is the history of the Indian armed forces’ courage and professionalism.
Dhruv Yadav with Video Journalist Aditya B Musa in Dras
