Drass, July 26 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday paid tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War, honouring their courage and sacrifice at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.

Singh laid a wreath at the memorial and paid homage to the fallen soldiers during a solemn ceremony attended by senior civil and military officials.

Later, he attended the Shaurya Sandhya programme, organised as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations.

A senior Army officer said the Kargil War Memorial remains a lasting symbol of the courage and sacrifice of the country's soldiers and that the annual commemoration renews the nation's commitment to the values for which they fought.

A family member of a Kargil mart...