India, July 27 -- India on Sunday recalled the valour of the armed forces in the 1999 Kargil war with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticising Pakistan for making terrorism a "part of its state policy", saying there will be no talks with the country other than on PoK. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief ministers and leaders across the political spectrum paid tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the war. Events were organised across states and at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh to mark the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas. President Murmu paid tribute to the valiant warriors and said the nation shall forever remain indebted to them. "Their unparalleled valour, unwavering resolve, and unparalleled patriotism stand as exemplary models of our army's glorious traditions," she said in a post on X in Hindi.
Prime Minister Modi said the valour of India's brave soldiers in the face of most formidable conditions will forever remain a source of national pride. "Their valour in the face of the most formidable conditions will forever remain a source of national pride. Their unwavering patriotism and devotion to duty will continue to inspire generations," he said in a post on X. The Prime Minister said there are certain days in people's lives that do not require a calendar to be remembered. "Today, the 26th of July, is one such date. Today is 'Kargil Vijay Diwas'. This day fills us with pride. This day reminds us of the extraordinary courage of our brave soldiers," he said while addressing his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat'.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of the indomitable valour of the Indian Army. "In 1999, despite the harsh conditions and the enemy's positions on high-altitude fronts on the formidable snowy peaks of the Himalayas, our brave soldiers brought the enemy to its knees through 'Operation Vijay'," he said in a post in Hindi on X. Defence Minister Singh slammed Pakistan and said there will be no talks with the country other than on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is a "part of India illegally occupied" by it. In his address at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, he also said that Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated what will be the fate of those who attempt to threaten India with terrorism, asserting that the country can respond to any misadventure by Pakistan in a manner "beyond their imagination".
Singh described India's victory in the Kargil war as "a diamond studded in the crown of Bharat Mata". Recalling the Operation Sindoor conducted in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, he said, "Any evil step towards the sovereignty and integrity of India will meet with the same fate." Singh said at a time when India is designing ships, Pakistan is busy engaging in terror design. Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates the culmination of Operation Vijay, the name given to India's military operation to reclaim the heights of Kargil after Pakistan's infiltration, which culminated on this day in 1999.
Earlier, Singh, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, paid tribute at the Kargil War Memorial. Meanwhile, the family of Indian Army soldier Avnish Yadav who laid down his life in the Kargil war, claimed that several promises made by the authorities in recognition of his sacrifice are yet to be fulfilled. Avnish Yadav's parents are natives of Dalel Tola village in Sitabdiara on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border. His mother, Somaro Devi, said that despite the passage of 26 years, neither has a statue of the martyr been installed nor a government hospital or a primary school have been named after him, as was promised. His father Shivji Yadav, who retired from the CRPF, said Avnish gave the supreme sacrifice after neutralising 20 Pakistani soldiers. While the government allotted a petrol pump to Avnish's widow, other assurances made to the family and the village remain unfulfilled, they said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.