On Kargil War Anniversary, PM Modi Warns Pakistan Against Supporting Terrorism, Proxy War Against India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26 denounced Pakistan's support for the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and said the enemy would be given a befitting response. The remarks come amid a surge in militant attacks in the Jammu region.

“Pakistan has failed in all its nefarious attempts in the past. But it has not learnt the lessons of history. It is trying to stay in the game by supporting terrorism and proxy war. I am speaking from a place where the masters of terrorism can hear me directly. I want to tell these masters of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with all their might and the enemy will be given a befitting reply,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister was speaking on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Kargil War, celebrated as Vijay Diwas. He also paid tributes to the war heroes at the Drass War Memorial in Kargil district.

Prime Minister Modi recalled the anti-enemy operations carried out by the Indian Army from the Himalayan peaks. India wanted peace, but the enemy showed its double face. Finally, the lie was defeated. The victory in the Kargil War showed our commitment to our nation and the valour of our brave forces. Our forces successfully carried out the operation despite the extreme and difficult combat conditions, he said.

He said that the land of Kargil witnessed the supreme sacrifices offered by the brave hearts 25 years ago. The names of those who laid down their lives for this land will remain alive forever. The entire nation is very indebted to the martyrs of Kargil War, PM Modi said.

The passage to peace and harmony

The Prime Minister promised that India would overcome all the challenges that are hindering the development of Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir. It will be five years since Article 370 was abolished in August. Jammu and Kashmir is looking forward to a bright future and big dreams. Besides infrastructure development, the tourism sector is also growing rapidly in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

He said that it was after August 5, 2019 that cinema halls in Kashmir reopened. After three and a half decades, Tazia procession (of Shia Muslims) was held in Srinagar for the first time. Jammu and Kashmir successfully hosted a G20 meeting. Our paradise on earth is rapidly moving towards peace and harmony, he said.

Referring to the budgetary allocation of Rs 6,000 crore to the Union Territory of Ladakh, which is a quantum leap from the previous Rs 1,100 crore, Mr Modi said Ladakh is chasing new dreams and reaching new heights. Ladakh will soon have a 4G network and the 13-km Zojila Tunnel, an all-weather road, will also be completed, he added.

“PM Modi has criticised the Congress for its failure to address the demands of the armed forces in the past. The Congress has failed to address the demands of the armed forces, including the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). These demands have fallen on deaf ears in the past. There was a huge desire for reforms. Our government has taken steps to listen to the armed forces and today we have a list of 5,000 weapons which are no longer being exported from outside,” he said.

Defending the Agnipath project, Prime Minister Modi said, “This is an example of the necessary reforms being carried out by the Army. For some, the Army was meant to salute politicians and parade. But the Army represents the faith of 140 crore countrymen. The objective of the Agnipath project is to rejuvenate the Army and keep it in a war-ready state.”

Responding to opposition criticism over the Agnipath project, PM Modi said, “Unfortunately, people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a political issue. These are the same people who weakened our Army by committing scams worth thousands of crores within the Army. These people never wanted the Army and the IAF to be self-reliant. They never wanted Tejas to be inducted into the IAF.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi virtually performed the groundbreaking of the Shinkun La Tunnel project. It is a 4.1 km long twin-tube tunnel that is being constructed at an altitude of about 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road. It will be the first all-weather connection to Leh via Himachal Pradesh and also the highest tunnel in the world.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal V R Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi paid tribute to the soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Kargil.

In New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to soldiers who died in the line of duty during the 1999 Kargil War at the National War Memorial.

President Murmu and leaders pay tribute to soldiers

President Droupadi Murmu praised the courage and extraordinary valor of the armed forces and urged all compatriots to draw inspiration from the sacrifice and valor of the soldiers.

In a message on X, she said, “Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion for a grateful nation to pay tribute to the indomitable courage and extraordinary valour of our armed forces. I pay tribute to every soldier who made the supreme sacrifice protecting Mother India on the Kargil peaks in 1999 and bow in reverence to their sacred memory.”

“I am confident that all our countrymen will draw inspiration from their sacrifice and courage. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” she added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the soldiers to commemorate the occasion. In a message posted on X, he hailed the unwavering commitment, bravery and patriotism of the soldiers who ensure the security of the country.

Today, on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the indomitable spirit and courage of the brave soldiers who fought valiantly in the 1999 war. Their unwavering commitment, courage and patriotism ensured that our country remained safe. Their service and sacrifice will continue to inspire every Indian and future generations, Mr Singh said in his message.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the unwavering determination and valour of the brave soldiers of the Army. In the Kargil War, the brave soldiers displayed ultimate bravery in the inaccessible hills of the Himalayas and forced the enemy army to its knees, and made the country proud by hoisting the tricolour again in Kargil, he said in a message on X. Today, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I salute the brave soldiers who protected the motherland with their courage in this war. The nation will never forget your sacrifice, dedication and sacrifice, he added.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also took the opportunity to salute the bravery and dedication of the soldiers on the occasion. On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, let us salute the bravery and dedication of our brave soldiers. The legacy of their courage and patriotism acts as a beacon for all Indians, he said in a message on X.

In a message in Hindi on X, the Congress said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the indomitable courage and determination of the heroes of the country. On this day, the brave sons of Mother India, with their incredible valour, drove the enemy out of Kargil and hoisted the tricolour. We are proud of the heroes who dedicated themselves to protect the nation. We salute them, the party said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in a message on X, “Congratulations to our brave soldiers, their families and all Indians on the occasion of 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. We bow our heads in homage to the martyrdom of our heroes who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting our motherland during the Kargil War. We are proud of their indomitable courage and valour,” he said.

EnglishOn the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, my salutations to the immortal martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect India. The country will always remain indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice, Rahul Gandhi said in a Hindi message on X. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is that golden page of Indian military history which reminds us of the valour and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. In the Kargil War, the brave soldiers of our Army, while facing difficult conditions, put their lives on the line and drove out the enemy and made the country proud by hoisting the tricolour on the high peaks of the Himalayas, she said. Salutations to all the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the country! The country will always remain indebted to our brave martyrs, she added.

Family members and veterans remember martyrs

As the country marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas today, families of soldiers are remembering the bravery and dedication of their loved ones who laid down their lives during the India-Pakistan war at freezing heights in 1999.

Madhubala, widow of Kargil hero Vinod Kumar, said, “On May 18, 1997, we got married and on June 14, 1999, he lost his life. I feel very good to be here and I am proud.” Rajender Kumar, elder brother of Kargil hero Soldier Bejender Kumar, said he was proud that his brother died for the country. “I am so proud; he died for the country. We remember him every day,” he said.

Prashanti, wife of Kargil hero Group Captain K. Nachiketa Rao, said that like all other countrymen, she used to pray every day for his repatriation from Pakistan. Group Captain Rao was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force who was captured by Pakistani forces before being handed over to the Indian authorities. “I am very proud of the bravery and courage he showed. We were not married at the time of the war. We got married after two years of war. Like all other countrymen, we used to pray every day for his repatriation (from Pakistan). We are proud because there are very few people who are so fortunate to show such courage and can then come back and live to tell these stories,” she said.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrated every year on July 26, commemorates the successful Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully recaptured strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.

(With contributions from agencies)