ITANAGAR/TAWANG, 26 Jul: On the occasion of the 22nd Kargil Vijay Divas, code named ‘Operation Vijay’, which marks the triumph of the Indian armed forces over Pakistani troops in Kargil on 26 July, 1999, a wreath-laying ceremony was organized at the Raj Bhavan here on Monday.
Governor BD Mishra led the paying of homage by laying a wreath for the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice made by Indian soldiers during the Kargil war.
Among others, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, retired major general GS Bisht, retired major general Jarken Gamlin, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, retired major general SC Mohanty, and retired air commodore RD Mosabi laid wreaths before the national flag.
The governor recalled the valour and supreme sacrifice of 527 fallen heroes of the Indian armed forces whose bravery and heroism resulted in decimating and routing the Pakistani troops from the Kargil heights.
The governor said that, but for the Indian victory in the Kargil war, India would have completely lost access to its Ladakh region.
He advocated observing the day every year, “so that our youths are inspired towards national security, national unity, integrity and patriotism.”
The DCM in his address said that “the victory of Kargil war, inscribed on the peaks of Kargil some 22 years ago, will continue to inspire several generations.”
Personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, commanded by Head Constable Mrityunjay Kumar, presented shoke shastra and salami shastra, accompanied by the bugle calls of ‘Last Post’ and ‘Rouse Reveille’.
A short film on the Kargil war was screened during the programme.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined the Indian Army in observing the 22nd Kargil Vijay Divas virtually from the Chuje army establishment in Tawang district. Governor BD Mishra joined the programme virtually from the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar.
Khandu, who was accompanied by Tawang MLA Tsering Tashi, 190 Mountain Brigade Commander Brig Vijaykumar R Jagtap, Tawang DC Sang Phuntsok, the SP, and officers and jawans of the Indian Army and the ITBP, paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Kargil war.
“Today the entire nation pays homage to the Kargil martyrs. The sacrifices made by them will not be forgotten and continue to serve as inspiration to all ranks and files of the great and brave Indian Army,” Khandu said.
He made special mention of Eastern Command GOC-in-C, Lt Gen Manoj Pande for facilitating the event.
Earlier in the day, Khandu laid a wreath at the Tawang war memorial in remembrance of the martyrs of the Kargil war. (Raj Bhavan & CM’s PR Cell)
