#KargilVijayDiwas : Nation remembers bravehearts who gave supreme sacrifice to ensure victory against Pakistan during Kargil war
New Delhi, July 26: Neither India nor Pakistan will forget the ‘Kargil War’ of 1999. India will remember victory against neighbouring country and martyrs while Pakistan will remember its loss. Today is ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ as 19 years ago on this day India not only emerged invictus in Kargil War against Pakistan but also witnessed the sacrifice of many soldiers who selflessly fought for the dignity of the country.
The whole nation is today saluting these brave hearts with pride to mark 19th Kargil Vijay Diwas. Likewise, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other cabinet ministers remembered the heroes of Kargil war and paid them rich tributes.
In a series of a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “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.”
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said, “On this Kargil Vijay Diwas, I join our countrymen in paying tributes to our brave soldiers who got us back the Kargil heights.”
“We salute the valour, courage and sacrifice of our brave jawans that resulted in a spectacular victory for our country in the Kargil War in 1999,” he said in another tweet.
“Vijay Diwas helps in reminding our countrymen of the bravery of soldiers who are all the time alert in extremely difficult situations and environment in defence of our country and for the safety and security our lives,” the VP added.
PM Modi bowing his head down said, “On #KargilVijayDiwas, a grateful nation pays homage to all those who served the nation during Operation Vijay. Our brave soldiers ensured that India remains protected and gave a befitting answer to those who tried to vitiate the atmosphere of peace.”
“India will always remember with pride, the outstanding political leadership provided by Atal Ji during Operation Vijay. He led from the front, supported our armed forces and clearly articulated India’s stand at the world stage,” he added in a tweet.
While Indian Army in a tweet said, “26 July immortalized as #KargilVijayDiwas is saga of glorious victory of the Nation during Kargil Conflict in May-July 1999. #IndianArmy soldiers fought legendary battles in Dras, Kaksar, Batalik & Turtok Sectors. #Salute to courage, valour & sacrifice of our martyrs & heroes.”
Many other leaders have expressed their tributes to mark this Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The Armed forces personnel and families of soldiers who lost their lives in 1999 Kargil War and others also paid tribute at Dras War Memorial.
Kargil War was an armed conflict that was fought between India and Pakistan and took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). The Kargil war, which began in May 1999, lasted for more than two months before Pakistani soldiers withdrew from the mountain tops they had occupied overlooking the Srinagar-Leh highway. In the conflict, the Indian Army lost over 500 officers, soldiers and jawans.
These were the five unsung heroes who not only gave their blood but lives also in the victory against Pakistan in Kargil War.
Captain Anuj Nayyar (Mahavir Chakra Awardee):
It was 7 July 1999 when Capt. Anuj Nayyar was martyred while battling for the nation. The 24-years-old jawan selflessly sacrificed his life for the nation and left behind his fiancée whom he was in love with for a decade. During the war, it was the Captain’s mission to secure Point 4875, known as Pimple 2. During the initial phase of the attack, the platoon sustained major injuries. In the aftermath, it was split into two, one of which was led by Capt. Anuj Nayyar. He killed 9 Pakistani soldiers and successfully destroyed three medium machine gun bunkers. However, while clearing the fourth bunker, an enemy grenade fell directly on the Captain. Despite being injured at that time, Anuj fought bravely and lost his life at the battle ground after clearing the last bunker.
Captain Vikram Batra (Param Vir Chakra):
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Vikram Batra earned a place in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 1996. Vikram was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles at Sopore. But when the tension rose between India and Pakistan, he was immediately posted there. It was the daring capture of the crucial peak pint 5140 during the war that brought Batra into the public attention. As the Captain and his Delta Company neared the peak, the enemy started firing from machine guns. However, under the Captain’s command, the troop managed to topple the enemy’s post. Captain Batra sustained severe injuries during the attack. He died on duty after being shot at. The nation honoured him with the Param Vir Chakra.
Manoj Kumar Pandey:
It was Operation Vijay in which captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was an integral part in a series of boldly led attacks, forcing back the intruders with heavy losses in Batalik including the capture of Jubar Top. On the night of 3 July, 1999 during the advance to Khalubar as his platoon approached its final objective, it came under heavy and intense enemy fire from the surrounding heights. Captain Pandey was tasked to clear the interfering enemy positions to prevent his battalion from getting day lighted, being in a vulnerable position. He quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and he proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. There is an interesting and hard to believe fact about Manoj, during the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, the interviewer asked him, "Why do you want to join the Army?" He immediately replied, "I want to win the Param Vir Chakra." True to his words, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey did win the country's highest gallantry honour but posthumously.
Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav:
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Yogendra Singh Yadav, 19 is recorded as the youngest person to ever be awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He was instrumental in capturing three bunkers on Tiger Hill. It was Yadav who took on the task of fixing the rope for soldiers to reach the top of the cliff, situated at a height of 16,500 feet. Even though he was repeatedly fired upon by machine guns and sustained wounds, he kept on and arrived at the top to kill four Pakistani soldiers and neutralise fire. He was awarded the highest military award of India, Param Vir Chakra for his bravery for his 4 July 1999 action during the Kargil War.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar
Born in village Kalol Bakain in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh, Rifleman Kumar led a team with the aim of capturing Area Flat Top on the 4th of July, 1999. But once the troop reached on top, the enemy started firing from just 150 meters away. Kumar went ahead on his own and managed to kill three soldiers in hand combat. His platoon, inspired by his act of bravery, captured Area Flat Top. Interestingly, his application was rejected three times before he was finally selected to join the army. Prior to joining the army, he worked as a taxi driver in Delhi and he never thought that one day he would get an opportunity to serve his country in such a bravest way.