On the 26th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes the Kargil heroes.

On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of “Operation Vijay”, declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh.

The day is observed as the Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the war.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday (July 26, 2025) said the Kargil Vijay Diwas symbolises the extraordinary valour and steadfast determination of the country’s jawans, and paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 conflict.

Their dedication and supreme sacrifice for the nation will forever inspire its citizens, she asserted.

“On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay my heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. This day symbolises the extraordinary valour, courage, and steadfast determination of our jawans. Their dedication and supreme sacrifice for the nation will forever inspire its citizens. “Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” President Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X.

Reminder of unparalleled courage of our soldiers: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes on the 26th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, which marks the success of Indian armed forces in ousting Pakistani intruders from the mountains in Kargil.

The Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war.

Mr. Modi said this occasion reminds the country of unparalleled courage and valour of its soldiers who sacrificed their lives for defending the country’s pride.

Their spirit to sacrifice themselves for the motherland will inspire every generation, he said.

Pakistani forces had stealthily occupied strategic positions in the mountains in Kargil, aiming to sever the transport link between Kashmir and Ladakh. However, India launched ’Operation Vijay’ to evict them and achieved success.

Heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts, says Rajnath Sigh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his X post said “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts who displayed extraordinary courage, grit and determination in defending our nation’s honour in the toughest of terrains. Their supreme sacrifice during Kargil war is a timeless reminder of the unwavering resolve of our Armed Forces. India shall remain forever indebted to their service.”

On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay heartfelt tributes to our bravehearts who displayed extraordinary courage, grit and determination in defending our nation’s honour in the toughest of terrains. Their supreme sacrifice during Kargil war is a timeless reminder of the unwavering resolve… — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 26, 2025

We are indebted to heroes who laid down their lives, says Dwivedi

After paying tributes to the heroes of Kargil war, COAS Gen. Upender Dwivedi said “We are indebted to heroes who laid down their lives to ensure nation is safe.”

He said this at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.

“India attained a decisive victory by effective targeting of terror infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor,” said Gen Dwivedi.

Gen. Dwivedi also said “Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pahalgam terror attack after government gave forces a free hand.”

Gen. Dwivedi said “We eliminated 9 high-value targets in Pakistan without harming any innocent there.”

Mallikarjun Kharge pays tribute to soldiers on Vijay Diwas

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice on the occasion of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

In a post on social media X, the party President wrote that they valiantly defended the motherland in the Kargil War.

“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we extend our heartfelt greetings to the brave soldiers of our Armed Forces, ex-servicemen, their families and all fellow Indians. We bow in reverence and salute the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs who valiantly defended our motherland in the Kargil War.

On #KargilVijayDiwas, we extend our heartfelt greetings to the brave soldiers of our Armed Forces, ex-servicemen, their families and all fellow Indians.

We bow in reverence and salute the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs who valiantly defended our motherland in the Kargil War.… pic.twitter.com/RZn63PzHBa — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 26, 2025

“Their unflinching courage and valour will forever inspire generations.

Jai Hind,” the post read.

Eternal saga of valour, sacrifice and national service of India’s brave sons: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday offered salutations on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote that the occasion was not just a day to celebrate victory in war, but an “eternal saga” of the valour, sacrifice, and national service of India’s brave sons, who could not be forgotten.

कारगिल विजय दिवस पर देश की अखंडता एवं अस्मिता की रक्षा हेतु अपने प्राणों की आहुति देने वाले अमर सपूतों को कोटिशः नमन।

यह दिवस केवल एक युद्ध की विजय नहीं, बल्कि भारत के वीर सपूतों के शौर्य, त्याग और राष्ट्रसेवा की अमर गाथा है, जिसे कभी भुलाया नहीं जा सकता।#KargilVijayDiwaspic.twitter.com/tsOmGcScBi — Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 26, 2025

“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I offer countless salutations to the immortal heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation’s integrity and identity.

This day is not merely a victory in a war, but an eternal saga of the valor, sacrifice, and national service of India’s brave sons, which can never be forgotten,” the post read.

‘Airstrike or OpSindoor, Indian Army no less than any other’: MoS Sanjay Seth

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth paid tributes to the valour of Indian soldiers on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Mr. Seth, along with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, participated in a padyatra in Drass, Kargil district, to remember the sacrifice of the people who lost their lives in the line of action during the 1999 war.

The union ministers, accompanied by locals and students, participated in the programme at the historic site of Kargil, which saw the conflict first hand when the area was captured by Pakistani forces in May 1999 and subsequently retaken, after the Indian Army launched Operation Bison.

“The country remembers the stupidity which Pakistan did on May 6, 1999. The entire country remembers on when India’s brave soldiers gave a fitting response to it. Be it a surgical strike, an air strike, or Operation Sindoor, the Indian army is no less than any other,” the Union MoS defence told ANI.

“I also salute the soldiers who are on the borders, hundreds of kilometres away, protecting the tricolour and serving India. Today marks 26 years of Kargil Vijay, and I pay my respects to everyone who gave their all,” he added.

Seth further mentioned how the whole world was ‘bewildered’ with India’s using its indigenous weapons to give a befitting reply to the Pahalgam terror attack.

“During Operation Sindoor, India attacked Pakistan’s terror bases using its indigenous weapons, which is why the world is bewildered that Indian forces destroyed the intentions of Pakistan within a few minutes,” he mentioned.

Indian Air Force pays tribute to warriors of war

The Indian Air Force (IAF) paid a heartfelt tribute to the brave warriors of the 1999 Kargil War on Saturday, honouring their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve on the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The IAF expressed gratitude to the valiant heroes who fought for India’s honour.

In a captivating video over 2 minutes long, the IAF showcased the courage and valour of its brave soldiers, as well as the might of the air force, particularly “The War Diary in Photographs”, a remarkable collection of photographs of the war.

#IndiaSalutesKargilHeroes

The Indian Air Force pays heartfelt tribute to the valiant Warriors of the Kargil War. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve continue to inspire a nation united in gratitude.#KargilVijayDiwas#26YearsOfKargil#OpVijay#OpSafedSagar… pic.twitter.com/PX4cZfBkYa — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 26, 2025

Families of army personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kargil War of 1999 gathered at Lamochen Viewpoint in Drass to pay heartfelt tributes to the heroes of the war.

The solemn event, organised to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces, saw emotional recollections from family members of fallen soldiers.

Rajesh, the brother of a soldier who lost his life at Tiger Hill, recounted the poignant memories left behind in his brother’s diary. “My brother lost his life while serving the nation in the line of action at Tiger Hill. When we got news about the war, we wrote a letter to him, but he told us he wasn’t involved in the action. After reading his diary, we learned he was in the war and lied to keep us from worrying. He wrote that he felt he wouldn’t come down the hill and handed his diary to a friend before going up,” Rajesh said.

Surekha Shinde, another family member, shared her pride and gratitude while honouring her brother, who served for five years before the Kargil War.”My brother had been in service for five years before the war started. I feel proud coming to this place, and I thank the army for this invitation,” she said.

The gathering at Lamochen Viewpoint served as a poignant reminder of the courage and selflessness displayed by Indian soldiers during the Kargil conflict. Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day etched in the nation’s heart with pride and solemn remembrance. It marks the day in 1999 when India successfully concluded Operation Vijay, reclaiming the strategic heights from Pakistani intruders.

The Kargil War is a saga of strong political, military and diplomatic actions. This War will always be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, as well as the self-imposed national strategy of restraint in keeping the war limited to the Kargil-Siachen sectors and the swiftly executed tri-services military strategy.

The Kargil War lasted for more than 60 days and concluded on July 26, 1999, with a gallant victory for India. Indian armed forces successfully reclaimed the command of the high outposts that were treacherously occupied by Pakistani soldiers during the winter months.

According to IAF, Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force’s codename for its air operations during the 1999 Kargil War, was a trailblazer in many ways and proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries. The operation was launched on May 26, 1999, marking the first large-scale use of air power in Kashmir since 1971 and demonstrating the effectiveness of limited air asset use in a localised conflict.

Symbol of unmatched courage and unity, says Pema Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu paid tributes to the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War by laying a wreath at the war memorial in Ladakh’s Drass, marking the 26th anniversary of India’s victory in the high-altitude conflict.

Standing in the shadow of the mountains where the Indian Armed Forces etched one of their most valiant chapters in history, Mr. Khandu described the Kargil victory as not just a military triumph, but also a symbol of unmatched courage and unity.

“From the icy winds of Drass to the steep climb of Tiger Hill, our brave soldiers fought not just for territory, but for honour, for each other, and for every citizen who sleeps in peace tonight,” Mr. Khandu wrote in a series of social media posts.

“They reclaimed every inch with courage. Their bravery roared through fire. And their sacrifice echoes in the very soil of this land we call home,” he wrote in a heartfelt tribute.

Recalling the events of May 1999, when Pakistani intrusions led to one of the fiercest mountain battles since World War II, Mr. Khandu said the response of Indian forces embodied the resilience and unity of the nation.

“In May 1999, our heights were seized in a betrayal that cut deep. But what followed was not just a military operation, it was a testament to the spirit of India,” he remarked in a post on X.

“Operation Vijay was a story of young men climbing into the jaws of death with grit in their hearts and the tricolour in their hands,” the Chief Minister said.

At the memorial, Mr. Khandu also met Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, the General Officer Commanding of the prestigious Fire & Fury Corps, one of the most revered formations in the Indian Army.

“Lt Gen Bhalla leads a formation that walks in the footsteps of giants. His calm authority and dedication reflect the ethos of every soldier who once held these heights, and those who hold them still,” Mr. Khandu noted.

“The Fire and Fury Corps doesn’t just defend land. It safeguards a legacy,” he said.

Concluding his tribute, Mr. Khandu emphasised the everlasting gratitude of a nation that stands tall today because of its warriors.

“Forever in our hearts. Forever our heroes. Jai Hind,” the Chief Minister added

Spirit and courage will always be remembered, says Punjab CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil conflict on the 26th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday.

“We salute the valour and sacrifice of all the brave soldiers who wrote an unparalleled chapter of bravery in the 1999 Kargil War. Their spirit and courage will always be remembered,” said Mr. Mann in a post in Punjabi.

The Chief Minister also laid a wreath at the War Memorial at the Bougainvillea Garden here and saluted the brave soldiers who laid their lives during the Kargil war.

Minister of Defence Services Welfare and Freedom Fighters Mohinder Bhagat was also present on the occasion.

(With inputs from Agencies)