DRASS: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth laid wreaths at the Kargil War Memorial here as the nation paid tributes to its fallen soldiers on Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday.
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta also paid floral tributes as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led other top officers of the armed forces in paying homage to the 545 soldiers who laid down their lives during the conflict with Pakistan in 1999.
The next of kin of the martyrs and residents were among the first to lay wreaths at the war memorial as they began arriving as early as 6 am.
Later, helicopters flew over the memorial and showered flower petals as a mark of respect. The Last Post ceremony was held as a mark of respect for the martyrs, serving as a mark of the culmination of the wreath-laying ceremony.
Various events were organised here at the Kargil War Memorial to mark the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates the bravery of India's unparalleled warriors who remain a source of inspiration to the people of the country.
The Indian Army had launched a fierce counter-assault, Operation Vijay, to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.
The war saw Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrains amid harsh weather conditions in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.
PM Modi pays homage on Kargil Vijay Diwas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted people on the 26th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, and said this occasion reminds the country of the unparalleled courage and valour of its soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the country's pride.
Their spirit to sacrifice themselves for the motherland will inspire every generation, he said.
Pakistani forces had stealthily occupied strategic positions in the mountains in Kargil, aiming to sever the transport link between Kashmir and Ladakh.
However, India launched 'Operation Vijay' to evict them and achieved success.
