Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas themed ‘Remember, Rejoice, Renew’, tribute was paid to the martyrs of Operation VIJAY at the Kargil War Memorial on July 26. 

The day marks the celebration of the gallant victory of the Indian Armed Forces who fought Pakistani intruders between May-July 1999 in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors of Western Ladakh. 

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee & Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa paid tribute to the martyrs by laying the wreath. Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh and General Officer Commanding, ‘Fire & Fury’ Corps,  Lieutenant General YK Joshi, paid respect  to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice on the icy heights 20 years ago.

 Gen VP Malik (Retd), Chief of Army Staff during the Kargil War and several senior militaries & civilian dignitaries, Veterans and Veer Naris were also present on the occasion. 

The Victory Flame was also flagged in by the Chief of Army Staff and merged with the Eternal Flame at the Kargil War Memorial. 

The Victory Flame was lit by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on July 14 from the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial, Delhi. It reached Drass after having traversed a distance of over 1000km from New Delhi, carried by relay through major cities and towns in North India. 

The Service Chiefs visited the Hut of Remembrance, located in the War Memorial premises, where they paid tribute to the martyrs and were briefed on the valour of the brave soldiers. 

Also, they interacted with the Veer Naris and Veterans as well as troops deployed in the sector.