Leh, July 24

After covering nearly 1,000 km from Delhi, the ‘Victory Flame’ today reached Leh before reaching the final stop at Drass in Kargil district.

At Leh, the ‘Victory Flame’ was received by Lt Gen YK Joshi, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, from Col Sonam Wangchuk, Kargil war hero and Mahavir Chakra awardee. The flame was kindled at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on July 14 and was lit by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The flame was carried by relay in all major cities and towns in North India before reaching Leh. It will reach Drass on Friday to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict. It will be merged with the eternal flame at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.

During the relay, flame-bears crossed major passes, including Rohtang La, Bara-lacha La, Namki La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La. — TNS