Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated each year on July 26 to commemorate the victory of India in more than two-month long Kargil War against Pakistani infiltrators. The gruesome war, in which 527 Indian soldiers were martyred, lasted for 84 days between May 3 and July 26. 

Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the victory of Indian Army against the Pakistani infiltrators in Kargil, Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC). Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year to honour the memory of Kargil War’s heroes.

From President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Indian Army and Indian Air Force, people across the country remembered the valor sacrifice of Indian soldiers and victory of Indian Army against Pakistan.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by the three service chiefs paid tribute at the National War Memorial.

“Kargil Vijay Diwas is symbol of fearless determination & exceptional valour of our Armed Forces. I salute the soldiers who fought the enemy and laid down their life to defend Bharat Mata. The nation is forever grateful to them and their families,” the President of India tweeted.

The Indian Army tweeted a two-minute video remembering the Kargil war and victory of the Indian soldiers on July 26.

“26 July immortalised as Kargil Vijay Diwas is a saga of Glorious Victory of the Nation during Kargil Conflict in May-July 1999. Indian Army salutes the undaunted courage, indomitable valour & sacrifice of our heroes,” they wrote.

Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Kargil Vijay Diwas is the symbol of India’s self-respect, their victory and strong leadership.” 

“I salute all those braveheart soldiers, who with their indomitable courage, who chased enemy at the hills of Kargil and hoisted the India’s tricolor flag again. The country is proud of the Indian heroes who dedicated themselves to protect their motherland,” Shah wrote. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told ANI, “On the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay, I would like to salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who fought the enemy under the most challenging conditions that the world had witnessed in the recent history.” 

The Indian Air Force celebrated the 21st anniversary of India’s victory in Kargil with a small representative video of the war and Air Force’s contribution. 

Indian National Congress on Twitter saluted the valour of Indian soldiers on 21st anniversary. “This Kargil Vijay Diwas, we salute the exemplary courage and valour of our brave soldiers who have dedicated their lives to defend the sovereignty of our Motherland,” they wrote. 

Kargil Vijay Diwas is named after “Operation Vijay” which was launched on July 25, 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year to honour the memory of Kargil War’s heroes.