Pune: Southern Command pays tribute to martyrs on 'Kargil Vijay Diwas'

Pune: Southern Command pays tribute to martyrs on 'Kargil Vijay Diwas'

Pune: Indian Army’s Southern Command celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas on Sunday to commemorate the success of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War – referred to as Operation Vijay – at the National War Memorial.

To honour the martyrs a wreath on behalf of all ranks of Southern Command was laid at the Memorial by Lieutenant General CP Mohanty, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and Southern Command.

Wreaths were also laid by Lieutenant General DS Ahuja, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Southern Command and Major General AK Hukku (Retired). The ceremony was conducted in presence of a limited number of military personnel of Headquarters Southern Command and Kargil War Veterans of Pune ensuring precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated on July 26 every year as a saga of gallantry and valour of a battle fought in the most inhospitable terrain in the World in the area of Kargil-Drass Sector of Ladakh. On this day the Indian Armed Forces braving most difficult terrain, battling extreme weather conditions fought valiantly on the steep slopes of icy peaks with grit and valour thus defeating the evil designs of the enemy. The Kargil War or as referred - Operation Vijay was fought at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet, wherein 1,042 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives and 527 Indian soldiers were martyred. It was the 21st year of the war won by the Indian Army.

To pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was organised at the National War Memorial in Pune on Sunday. Lt Gen CP Mohanty interacted with Kargil War veterans on this occasion. Every year, the ceremony is attended by military personnel and veterans from the city and nearby satellite stations. Retired soldiers who fought in the operation and later settled in Pune city also annually visit the National War Memorial on this day to pay homage to the martyrs. However, this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak situation, several of them could not attend it.

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