KARGIL DIWAS

Kargil Vijay Diwas Highlights: PM Modi Says India Gave A "Befitting Reply" In Kargil

Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi addressed the nation through Mann Ki Baat today. (File)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Calling the day as a very special one, PM Modi said, "On this day, we defeated Pakistan, we will never be able to forget this day."

"The war happened at a time and in a situation that nobody can forget. India wanted good relations with pakistan, but that did not happen," he added.

On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army had announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay", declaring victory after the nearly three-month-long battles in the icy heights of Kargil. The country lost more than 500 soldiers in the war.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh also paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial.

French Ambassador to India pays tributes to armed forces

French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain paid tributes to Indian Armed Forces and said that France always stands alongside India.

Putting a picture of Mirage 2000 fighter jet, Mr Lenain wrote: "On Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020, France pays tribute to the Indian armed forces: France always stands alongside India. Mirage 2000 in 1999 to Rafale in 2020: our partnership touches soaring heights."

Cricket fraternity pays tribute to soldiers on Kargil Vijay Diwas

Marking the 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas, the cricket fraternity paid tribute to the soldiers and saluted their "valour and courage".

"The countless stories of valour & selfless sacrifices of our Defence Forces during the Kargil War are awe-inspiring. We shall always remain indebted to their service to our nation," Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli took to Twitter and wrote, "Saluting the valour and courage of our brave hearts of the Indian Armed Forces who laid down their lives fighting for our Nation, all to keep all of us safe. Jai Hind."

"Big salute and remembering the brave hearts of our country on this special day for constantly put their body on the line for us," Rohit Sharma tweeted.

Pakistan Tried To "Backstab" India: PM During Tribute To Kargil Heroes

Pakistan tried to "backstab" India despite her attempts to keep friendly relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in his tribute to the armed forces on the 21st anniversary of Kargil war.  In his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said "Pakistan undertook this misadventure with sinister plans to capture India's land and to divert its ongoing internal conflicts".

"Pakistan had the audacity of trying to occupy Indian soil and deviate attention from its own internal unrest," he said.

"At the time, India was trying for improve relations with Pakistan. But as it is said, evil's nature is to fight everyone without reason. People of this nature can only think of doing evil even to those who try to do them good. That's why Pakistan backstabbed India despite India's attempts at cordial relations," he said..

"You can imagine, the enemy was perched high on the mountains while our forces were fighting them from below. But the high morale and true of our forces won against mountains," he added. Read

India Will Remain Indebted To Armed Forces Forever: JP Nadda On Kargil Vijay DiwasIndian forces combined inspiration and strategy with valour to vanquish Pakistan during the Kargil war despite facing adverse circumstances, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.He said India will forever remember the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers to secure the country's borders. Speaking at an event on the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, JP Nadda also said that BJP is commited to the welfare of armed forces, saying the defence sector has always received Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special focus. Karnataka Government Committed To Working For Soldiers' Welfare: Chie MinisterPaying tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war on its 21st anniversary, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said his government always stood by the soldiers and families of those who laid down their lives to protect the borders of the country.

"The government is always committed to the welfare of the soldiers. Karnataka has formed a separate department for the welfare of the soldiers and their families. We always stand with the families of the martyred soldiers," he said.

Trivendra Singh Rawat Pays Tributes To Kargil War HeroesUttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday paid tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives while fighting against Pakistan during Kargil war. Chief Minister Rawat paid respect to fallen soldiers at the Shaheed memorial in Gandhi Park on the occasion of ''Kargil Vijay Diwas''.

"The world realized the power of the Indian soldiers when they drove the intruders across the border. Our soldiers showed the valor in the Kargil war under adverse conditions. The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the brave soldiers to protect the country's borders in the Kargil war," Mr Rawat said.

Country Forever Grateful To Soldiers Who Laid Down Their Lives In Kargil: PresidentThe country is forever grateful to soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil war to defend ''Bharat Mata'', President Ram Nath Kovind said on Sunday.

Taking to Twitter to pay tributes to the slain soldiers on the 21st anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the war, he said ''Kargil Vijay Diwas'' is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces.

India Proud Of Heroes Dedicated To Protecting Country: Amit ShahUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the country is proud of the heroes who are dedicated to protecting it and who drove away the enemy from the arduous hills of Kargil.

On the 21st anniversary of the country's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, Mr Shah said the "Kargil Vijay Diwas" is a symbol of India's self-respect, amazing valour and steadfast leadership.

"I bow to the bravehearts, who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the difficult hills of Kargil and waved the tricolour there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India who are dedicated to protecting the motherland," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

In today's time, war is not only fought at the borders. There are many wars we fight within the nation. We have to be together in the fight against these battles.

PM Modi asks people to do and say things keeping in mind welfare of soldiers on borders. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his Mann ki Baat, on the ocassion of Kargil Diwas. He says "the the day is very special, as the war happened at a time and in a situation that nobody can forget. India wanted good relations with Pakistan, but that did not happen."

Kargil Vijay Diwas Symbol Of Exceptional Valour: PresidentOn the 21st anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

President said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our Armed Forces.

"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," President Kovind tweeted.

Rajnath Singh pays homeage to Jawans, tweets pictures"Paid tributes to fallen soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who exhibited exemplary valour and made supreme sacrifice during Kargil War," the defence minister tweeted along with pictures.

PM Narendra Modi pays tributes to jawans on Kargil Vijay Diwas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted his tributes for armymen on the ocassion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

"On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and determination of our armed forces, who steadfastly protected our nation in 1999. Their valour continues to inspire generations. Will speak more about this during today's #MannKiBaat, which begins shortly," PM Modi tweeted.

Watch: COVID-19 Patients Along With Doctors Celebrate 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' In Assam

Jul 27, 2020, 02:56PM ISTSource: ANI

COVID-19 patients celebrated 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' at Silchar Medical College in Assam on July 26. On the occasion, doctors along with patients danced and sang the patriotic song. The Indian armed forces had defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. Since then, the day is celebrated as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to rekindle the pride and valour of the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay. Meanwhile the total number of COVID-19 cases in Assam has reached 31,086.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020: Captain Vikram Batra’s Story, All You Need To Know About The War Hero Before Rooting For Sidharth Malhotra’s Shershaah

 © Provided by India.Com

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020: India-Pakistan war of 1999 – known as the Kargil War could not have been written without the sacrifice of Captain Vikram Batra, the bravest of the brave soldiers who was awarded a posthumous Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour by the government. His story of valour is now being adapted into a Hindi film and actor Sidharth Malhotra is playing the celebrated army officer. Titled Shershaah, the film is directed by Vishnuvardhan and written by Sandeep Srivastava.

A mainstream Bollywood film is expected to have certain elements to make it suitable for the audience. However, those who have heard of Captain Batra’s story say that his real-life was no less than a Bollywood film already. Captain Batra was the man of principles and had found a purpose in life when he decided to join the Indian army at a very young age. His sole idea behind taking admission in MA English course at the Panjab University was to prepare for the Combined Defence Services Examination. So, when in 1996, he passed the CDS examination and became one of the top 35 candidates in the Order of Merit, he left the University after completing a year and joined the Indian Military Academy.

 © Provided by India.Com Kargil Diwas 2020: All You Need to Know About Captain Vikram Batra Before Rooting For Sidharth Malhotra's Movie Shershaah

Sidharth Malhotra on the poster of Shershaah (Photo Courtesy: Movie Poster/ Dharma Productions)

The last time Captain Vikram Batra’s family saw him

His last visit to his home in Palampur before going to the war was in March 1999 during Holi celebrations. This was also the last time he met his family members and fiancee Dimple Cheema who later told the media what the Captain had told him when she asked him to be safe at the war. Maintaining his heroic calm, he had told Cheema: “I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it. But I’ll come back for sure.”

Captain Vikram Batra’s Kargil journey

When the war broke in Kargil, Batra, and others from his battalion were asked to move to Dras in Jammu and Kashmir. He began his Kargil journey as the lieutenant but after capturing Point 5140, he was promoted to the rank of captain.

What is significant to know about the Captain’s Kargil journey is that once he captured the Point 5140, he was ordered to move to Ghumri and rest with his fellow soldiers. However, as the war continued and reached a point when the enemy began to acquire a strong foothold, the Captain decided to take the charge once again and protect his other fellow soldiers. Going to Point 4875 where the Indian soldiers seemed stuck was not in the captain’s orders and yet when he heard the situation, he decided to go beyond his call of duty.

 © Provided by India.Com Kargil Diwas 2020: All You Need to Know About Captain Vikram Batra Before Rooting For Sidharth Malhotra's Movie Shershaah

Sidharth Malhotra on the poster of Shershaah (Photo Courtesy: Movie Poster/ Dharma Productions)

Story of Captain Vikram Batra’s exemplary valour 

On the afternoon of July 5, Captain NA Nagappa had reached the Flat Top with his small force and got seriously injured. It is believed that splinters had pierced through both his legs and he fell unconscious. Captain Batra, who was aware of this, went to Lt. Colonel Joshi to seek permission to ‘go up.’ He was still recuperating from the injuries of the last battle and was unwell. Lt. Joshi had his reservations but Batra remained adamant and seeing his valour, a few other soldiers from the battalion also requested to join him at the battle.

As per a JAK RIF officer, “Despite strict rules, where soldiers cannot question the orders of their seniors, several soldiers literally pleaded for permission to accompany Batra even at the cost of earning severe displeasure of the commanding officer. The soldiers were so moved that they were willing to be jailed or court-martialled but only wanted permission to accompany Batra and reinforce the army on top of the peak.”

‘Don’t Come up Shershaah’

Before climbing up, Batra and his 25 men of the D coy prayed at the Goddess Durga temple and began to go up. Among the many stories of Batra’s bravery that are shared by his fellow soldiers, one his quite prominent. It is believed that when the enemy got to learn about Batra climbing up, they broke into the Indian wireless system and said, “Shershaah don’t come up”.

“Our radio sets were on the same frequency. One of the Pakistani soldiers, whosoever he was, he used my code name Shershaah and said, ‘Oh Shershaah you’ve come, don’t try to come up or you will have a tough time.’ That was the time they gave us a challenge. And my guys, they went wild. How dare the Pakistanis challenge us!” narrated Captain Batra in an interview to NDTV.

It was snowing when the captain led his troops to what is now known as the ‘Batra Top.’ The enemies had created multiple sangars around the top and they were firing heavily on the highway that connected Srinagar to Leh. Destroying the machine guns that the enemies were using to trap the Indian soldiers, he kept moving ahead and reached the ledge where the Captain decided to make a direct daylight frontal assault. He had saved Nagappa by now.

Recalling how Captain Batra saved him, Captain Naveen had told ET: “I was sitting on a bunker when the enemy threw a grenade, which landed near my leg. When it exploded, I felt a defeating sound in my ear. Vikram came running to me and said ‘Anna don’t be scared I have come’. He dragged me out and I saw him climbing up the hill.”

‘Durga Mata Ki Jai’

At a heavy risk of losing his life, the captain moved on and faced enemy’s machine guns and grenade launchers. As revealed by his fellow soldiers, he kept chanting ‘Durga Mata Ki Jai’ while firing from his AK-47. Even after sustaining deep injuries, he continued to fight and reached the entrance of the sangar. In hand-to-hand combat, he killed five Pakistanis. Firing continued from another ledge and Batra moved to silence the enemy there. He killed all four members of the crew who were charging heavy machine gunfire. However, during the attack, one of the soldiers, Sub. Raghunath Singh was shot. Batra, protecting his fellow man, moved ahead and came face-to-face with the enemy. While he killed the enemy, he got a bullet in his chest and his forehead. The Captain succumbed to his injuries.

Param Vir Chakra 1999

On August 15, 1999, the Captain’s father GL Batra received the Param Vir Chakra for his martyred son from the President of India, late KR Narayanan. Here’s what the Param Vir Chakra citation read:

 © Provided by India.Com Kargil Diwas 2020: All You Need to Know About Captain Vikram Batra Before Rooting For Sidharth Malhotra's Movie Shershaah  

Before Sidharth Malhotra, actor Abhishek Bachchan played the role of Captain Vikram Batra in JP Dutta’s film LOC Kargil that released in the year 2003. Shershaah, that’s now being made by Dharma Productions also features Kiara Advani in the role of the Captain’s fiancee Dimple Cheema