Drass (Ladakh) [India], July 25 – Families of army personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kargil War of 1999 gathered today at the Lamochen Viewpoint in Drass to pay heartfelt tributes to the heroes of the conflict. The solemn event, organized to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces, was marked by emotional recollections from the family members of the fallen soldiers.
Rajesh, the brother of a soldier who lost his life at the formidable Tiger Hill, recounted the poignant memories preserved in his brother’s diary. “My brother lost his life while serving the nation in the line of action at Tiger Hill,” he shared. “When we got news about the war, we wrote a letter to him, but he told us he wasn’t involved in the action. After reading his diary, we learned he was in the war and lied to keep us from worrying. He wrote that he felt he wouldn’t come down the hill and handed his diary to a friend before going up.”
Surekha Shinde, another family member, expressed her profound pride and gratitude while honoring her brother, who had served for five years before the Kargil War began. “My brother had been in service for five years before the war started. I feel proud coming to this place, and I thank the army for this invitation,” she said.
The gathering at Lamochen Viewpoint served as a powerful reminder of the immense courage and selflessness displayed by Indian soldiers during the Kargil conflict.
Kargil Vijay Diwas: A Saga of Valor and Strategic Triumph
Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day etched in the Nation’s heart with pride and solemn remembrance. It marks the day in 1999 when India successfully concluded Operation Vijay, reclaiming strategic heights that had been treacherously occupied by Pakistani intruders during the winter months.
The Kargil War is a saga defined by strong political, military, and diplomatic actions. This war will forever be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, as well as India’s self-imposed national strategy of restraint in keeping the conflict limited to the Kargil-Siachen Sectors. The swiftly executed tri-services military strategy proved decisive. The Kargil War spanned more than 60 days, concluding on July 26, 1999, with a gallant victory for India. Indian armed forces successfully reclaimed command of the high outposts that were infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers.
According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), Operation Safed Sagar – the codename for its air operations during the 1999 Kargil War – was a trailblazer in many ways. It decisively proved that air power could alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries. The operation, launched on May 26, 1999, marked the first large-scale use of air power in Kashmir since 1971 and demonstrated the effectiveness of limited air asset deployment in a localized conflict.