The 15th anniversary of the Kargil war victory was observed Saturday, with leaders paying homage to the martyrs, and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley promising a “huge” war memorial.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the martyrs.
“The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has on Kargil Vijay Diwas paid homage to the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending Indian territory and lauded the courage and valour of the Indian armed forces,” said a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“He has called upon the armed forces to continue to do their duty on our frontiers with honour and dedication,” the statement added.
Modi Saturday remembered the “indomitable courage” of the Kargil war martyrs.
“We remember the indomitable courage and sacrifice of our armed forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas. The nation salutes these brave martyrs,” he tweeted.
Rajnath Singh saluted the sacrifice made by the soldiers.
“Saluting the supreme sacrifice of our soldiers on 15th anniversary of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’. Heartfelt tributes to Heroes of Kargil victory,” the home minister tweeted.
Defence Minister Jaitley said the government would soon finalise a site for the construction of a national war memorial.
Talking to reporters after paying homage to the martyrs, Jaitley said an appropriate decision will be taken soon.
“For the war memorial, where names of all those who sacrificed their lives for the country will be written, we feel it is required,” Jaitley told reporters.
He said he would soon visit the Princess Park locality near India Gate with the chiefs of the three defence services to take a decision on the issue.
“We feel that at the very site (Princess Park), as it is a very large area or somewhere close in the vicinity, which is the best site available, it is being shortlisted. We will, in a day or two may be visit that site with the chiefs and take an appropriate decision,” Jaitley said.
July 26 is observed as Vijay Diwas every year to commemorate the sacrifice of India’s soldiers and also celebrate the nation’s victory in the 60-day Kargil War in 1999.