Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kargil today and paid tribute to bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The prime minister also visited the Kargil War Memorial in Dras amid tight security arrangements and paid tribute to the Kargil heroes.  

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, PM Modi also met with the families of heroes of the Kargil War who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. While speaking during a programme in Ladakh, the prime minister said that the day reminds us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal.

Hitting out at Pakistan, PM Modi said that the neighbouring country has not learned anything from its history and is carrying out a proxy war. "Pakistan has failed in all its nefarious attempts in the past. But Pakistan has not learned anything from its history. It is trying to keep itself relevant with the help of terrorism and proxy war. Today I am speaking from a place where the masters of terror can hear my voice directly, I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply," he was quoted as saying by ANI. 

PM Modi also carried out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project virtually. According to an official statement, the Shinkun La Tunnel Project entails building a 4.1-km twin-tube tunnel on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha route at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh. 

ALSO READ: Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 Speech: Short English Speech And Essay Ideas On ‘Operation Vijay’ 

The Shinkun La tunnel will be the highest in the world after completion. It will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of the country's armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh. The families of the soldiers commemorate the courage and devotion of their loved ones who laid their lives in the line of duty during the deadly 1999 war between India and Pakistan. 

ALSO READ: Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: Inspirational Quotes, Slogans And HD Images To Share On This Special Day

The Indian Air Force launched its operation in Kargil on May 26, 1999. During the conflict, a total of 527 Indian soldiers were martyred in the war. During the Kargil conflict, the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, with the help of the Indian Air Force, overcame insurmountable odds, hostile terrain and inclement weather to win against the enemy that had occupied dominating heights.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay a success on July 14, 1999. The operation was launched due to the unprovoked intrusion of Pakistan Army-backed armed terrorists on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LC) at Kargil.

Meanwhile, Prashanti, wife of Kargil hero, Group Captain K Nachiketa Rao, said that, like all the other countrymen, she used to pray every day for his repatriation from Pakistan.

"I feel very proud. The bravery and courage he had shown. We were not married at the time of the war. We married after two years of it. Like all the other countrymen, we used to pray every day for his repatriation (from Pakistan). We feel proud as there are very few people who get such a chance to show such bravery and then get to come back and live to tell those tales," Prashanti had said.