Health, Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Sainik Welfare Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil on Sunday said the supreme sacrifice of the Kargil martyrs would continue to inspire generations with the ideals of patriotism, courage and selfless service to the nation.

Addressing the state-level Kargil Vijay Diwas function at Tihra in Mandi district on the 27th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, the minister paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the country’s sovereignty. 

On the occasion, Dr Shandil inaugurated a War Memorial Complex, constructed at a cost of around Rs 35 lakh in memory of the martyrs. He offered floral tributes, honoured Veer Naris, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at a march-past by the Indian Ex-Servicemen League (Himachal Pradesh) and its Tihra Unit, along with NCC cadets of DAV School, Griyoh.

Recalling Operation Vijay, the minister said 52 soldiers from Himachal Pradesh, including 12 from Mandi district, made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil conflict. He also highlighted that Captain Vikram Batra (posthumously) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, both from the state, were among the four recipients of the Param Vir Chakra for displaying exceptional bravery during the war.

Describing Himachal Pradesh as “Veer Bhoomi”, Dr Shandil said the youth of the state have always remained at the forefront of serving the nation by joining the armed forces.

Highlighting the state government’s initiatives for soldiers and ex-servicemen, he said 15 per cent reservation in government jobs has enabled 1,220 ex-servicemen and their dependents to secure employment. Besides, over 4,305 ex-servicemen have been employed through the Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Corporation, while 232 trucks owned by ex-servicemen have been engaged by cement factories.

The minister said the monthly old-age pension for ex-servicemen and their widows above 60 years, who are not receiving any other pension, has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. More than 3,160 beneficiaries have received assistance exceeding Rs 12.82 crore under the scheme.

He added that ex gratia compensation for soldiers martyred in war or war-like situations has been enhanced from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, while compensation for deaths due to illness or other causes has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh. In Mandi district alone, dependents of deceased soldiers have received Rs 2.81 crore during the past three years. 

Responding to demands raised by Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar, Dr Shandil assured adequate funds for expanding the War Memorial Complex and said the process to establish a Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facility at Tihra would be initiated. Kargil Vijay Diwas was also observed at the War Memorial in Mandi town, Vallabh Government College, Mandi and Sarkaghat.

GL Batra said the Army had fascinated his son from his teenage years

As the nation observes Kargil Vijay Diwas, Captain Vikram Batra’s journey continues to be remembered not only for the courage that made him one of the most celebrated heroes of the Kargil War and earned him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously but also for the young man he was before he became a national icon.

His father, Giridhari Lal Batra, recalled how his son had already decided the kind of life he wanted to lead, while attending a Kargil Vijay Diwas commemoration organised by the Kashyap Naujawan Dharmik Sabha in Jalandhar on Sunday. It was his first time attending the event in the city, where he spoke of a son who became a national hero but remained, in his memories, a smiling, ambitious young man.

GL Batra said the Army had fascinated Captain Batra from his teenage years. As a child, he listened to stories about Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandrashekhar Azad and Maharana Pratap. “He liked the disciplined and valiant life of an Army man,” his father noted.

He added that Vikram was selected for the Merchant Navy while he was a BSc finalist in 1995 but left the well-paying job within days of joining to pursue his dream of joining the Army.

That determination was visible in almost everything he did. He passed his examinations with first division, played table tennis at the national level and was fond of skating and martial arts. His father said Vikram was always a frontliner, whether in studies, sports or the choices he made in life.

Yet, behind the discipline and ambition was a young man with a lively sense of humour.

Sharing a childhood anecdote, Captain Batra’s father said that once, when Vikram asked him for pocket money, he told him, “Beta, mere paas toote paise nahi hain” (Son, I do not have change). Vikram quickly replied, “Toh koi baat nahi, aap sabut hi de do” (Then give me the whole amount).

Batra recalled how his son carried a smile wherever he went. True to the sentiment, even in the photographs from the war, Vikram could be seen smiling.

Talking more about his larger than life personality, GL Batra recalled that around six months after joining the Army, Vikram decided to buy a second-hand Zen car. I advised him to wait, saying, “You have just started your service, wait for a while, you can buy a car later”. He recalled Vikram replying, “Later, we’ll buy an even bigger car”.

He never got the opportunity to drive the Zen as he was sent to Kargil soon after. Before leaving, he told his father, “Daddy, it is my gift to you.”

During the one-and-a-half months in the war, Vikram spoke to his family only a handful of times. On the intervening night of June 20 and 21, 1999, Captain Batra along with his troops captured Point 5140 in the Drass sector. Despite being injured, he killed three enemy soldiers in close combat before capturing the position. He then radioed back the victory signal, “Yeh dil maange more (The heart wants more)”, which became one of the most iconic phrases associated with the Kargil War.

“I was very proud. It was the happiest moment. Like any other family, I was expecting him to return with victory,” his father recalled.

After Point 5140, his battalion was tasked with capturing Point 4875. Captain Batra died fighting valiantly near the position on July 7, after killing five Pakistani soldiers in close combat.

His courage earned him the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award. His life later became the subject of the 2021 Hindi film ‘Shershaah’, his code name. 

However, for his family, the honour and fame could never lessen the pain of losing a son.

GL Batra remembering the moment he received the  news of his son’s death said, “I collapsed. It was my neighbour who picked me up. It took me nearly a week to come to terms with the loss.”

“The absence of a child can never be filled. He was our flesh and blood,” he said, adding, “With time, however, I learnt to look at his sacrifice as a contribution to a cause greater than himself.”

Reflecting on Vikram’s sacrifice, he urged the youth to join the defence forces, describing service to the nation as the noblest of paths.

Warns Islamabad of any misadventure, pays tributes to Kargil War heroes

Launching an attack on Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said there would be no talks with the neighbouring country except on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which he described as an integral part of India. 

“The success of Operation Sindoor is proof that India possesses the capability to respond to Pakistan’s every misadventure with a severity far beyond its imagination,” said Rajnath, adding that “there will be no talks with Pakistan, and any dialogue will focus solely on the PoK.” 

Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Dras in Kargil, the minister said every nefarious act against India’s sovereignty “will be met with the same resolute response that the Indian defence forces delivered to terrorists and their patrons through Operation Sindoor with unmatched bravery”.

Rajnath said, “In Pakistan, the distinction between the military and militants has vanished, with the country making terrorism a part of its state policy. Pakistan’s military not only shelters terrorist organisations but also works with them. That is why during Operation Sindoor, we made it clear that India no longer views terrorists and the governments that nurture them as separate entities,” he said.

He added that 27 years had passed after the Kargil War, and the paths taken by India and Pakistan had diverged sharply.

“While India is exploring new avenues of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new routes for infiltration. India is engaged in chip design, whereas Pakistan is busy designing terror. India is building a start-up ecosystem, while Pakistan is constructing a terror ecosystem. India is manufacturing semiconductors, while Pakistan is preparing suicide bombers,” he said.

“India is recognised for space missions, while Pakistan is running proxy missions. India is sending satellites into space, whereas Pakistan focuses on sending terrorists across the border. India is providing software to the world, while Pakistan is exporting sleeper cells. India is establishing data centers, while Pakistan is setting up radicalisation centres. India is connecting the world through UPI, while Pakistan is linking terrorism with hawala networks. In short, our paths diverge; should Pakistan attempt to obstruct our path to prosperity with its nefarious designs, our defence forces stand ready to deliver a befitting response,” Rajnath said. 

He said the Centre possessed the political will to give the defence forces a free hand to respond decisively to threats, exuding confidence that no adversary would dare cast a hostile eye on India while its soldiers guard the nation’s borders. 

He paid tributes to India’s gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland during the 1999 Kargil War. He remembered the countless bravehearts, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Capt Vikram Batra and Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, who made the supreme sacrifice during the war.

He termed Kargil Vijay Diwas a day of inspiration for every young person who seeks to understand the distinction between personal success and national duty.

The minister emphasised that conflicts such as those in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine had not only tested the capabilities of the defence forces but also the resilience, patience and resolve of nations. He asserted that while India had a strong and capable military, safeguarding national security was a shared responsibility of every citizen.

During the event, Rajnath laid a wreath at the cenotaph and observed silence in remembrance of the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Vijay in 1999.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Dhiraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, the GOC, 14 Corps, Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, and the GOC, 8 Mountain Division, Maj Gen AP Singh, also joined Rajnath in paying homage to the Kargil War heroes.

Vedios on kargil Vijay diwas : click and open each of them

KARGIL VIJAY DEWAS :26 JUL

Remembering Capt Batra: Brother’s book goes beyond the battlefield to reveal the person behind the uniform

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Rajnath Singh in Ladakh for Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations

ARTRAC commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, honours heroes of Operation Vijay

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to the fallen soldiers of the 1999 Kargil War on the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Drass, in Ladakh o

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Yeh Dil Maange More: Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, My Brother’ is a moving and intimate tribute to one of India’s most celebrated military heroes. Written by Vishal Batra, the identical twin brother of Capt Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra, along with Anupma Mehta, the book offers readers a rare glimpse into the life, values, and legacy of the Kargil War hero through the eyes of those who knew him best. 

More than 25 years after the Kargil War, Capt Vikram Batra remains a symbol of courage, patriotism, and selfless service. Revered across generations for his extraordinary bravery and remembered for the iconic phrase that became synonymous with his spirit, his story continues to inspire millions of Indians. In ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’, Vishal Batra recounts memories of growing up alongside his twin brother in Palampur, tracing their shared childhood, aspirations and unbreakable bond. The book goes beyond the battlefield to reveal the person behind the uniform — his warmth, determination, sense of humour and deep commitment to those around him.

Part memoir, part tribute, and part celebration of an enduring legacy, the book reflects on the profound impact Capt Batra’s life and sacrifice had on his family, his comrades and the nation. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, it invites readers to understand the man behind the legend and the values that continue to resonate long after his passing.

Manju Kanwar, mother of Major Sandeep Shankla, pays tributes to her son on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Panchkula.

Commemorating the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, homage was paid to martyrs of the Kargil War at Major Sandeep Shankla Memorial in Panchkula by veterans under the aegis of the India Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM).

As many as 527 soldiers made the supreme sacrifice during the war, fought between May and July 1999 in the rugged, icy heights of the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, with another 1,363 soldiers being severely wounded. Former Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, Panchkula Mayor Sham Lal Bansal and veterans including Lt Gen Harcharan Singh, Lt Gens BS Jaswal, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, Lt Gen Shankar Ghosh, Lt Gen JP Singh, Lt Gen AN Aul and Maj Gen RS Mehta, paid floral tributes at the memorial.

During the event, veterans said India has been facing myriad and serious security challenges – continuing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, unrest in the north-east, Naxal challenge in central India and Chinese incursions. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presents a memento to the family member of a fallen soldier at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on Saturday. PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Ladakh on Saturday to participate in the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, as the Army launched a series of events at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras to honour the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War.

Singh arrived at Srinagar International Airport in the morning, where he was received by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Defence Minister later proceeded to Ladakh to attend the commemorative events marking India’s victory in Operation Vijay. 

The two-day programme at Dras features a series of events, including Yudh Sansmaran, Shaurya Sandhya, patriotic performances by the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Band, a motorcycle display by the Army’s ‘Shwet Ashwa’ Motorcycle Riders and a wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to the fallen heroes.

The commemorations began on Saturday with Yudh Sansmaran at the picturesque Lamochen View Point overlooking the historic Kargil battlefield. The programme included a 33-minute documentary on the Kargil War and India’s triumph under Operation Vijay, followed by a commemorative film honouring 40 Kargil martyrs. Their next of kin attended the event.

Senior Army officers, Kargil War veterans, Veer Naris and Veer Matas were present during the programme. Major General Amit Prakash Singh, General Officer Commanding, Forever in Operations Division, was among the senior officers attending the event.

Operation Vijay was launched in 1999 after Pakistani forces infiltrated and occupied strategic heights in the Kargil sector. The operation concluded with India’s victory on July 26, 1999, which is commemorated every year as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

The highlight of Saturday’s programme was Shaurya Sandhya at the Kargil War Memorial, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the conflict.

On Sunday, the Army will conduct the Shradhanjali Samaroh, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial, followed by Gaurav Gatha, recounting the courage and sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the war.

The commemorations will conclude with the flagging-in of the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a motorcycle rally from the National War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, symbolising the nation’s gratitude towards its bravehearts. The events reaffirm India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the soldiers whose courage and sacrifice secured victory in the Kargil conflict. 

Army Commander Lt Gen Devendra Sharma leads tribute at Annandale, calls Kargil heroes’ courage and sacrifice an enduring inspiration for safeguarding India’s unity, integrity and sovereignty

Headquarters Army Training Command (ARTRAC) on Saturday commemorated the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, with all ranks reaffirming their commitment to uphold the highest ideals of patriotism, courage and selfless service while paying tribute to the brave soldiers who defended the nation’s sovereignty during Operation Vijay in 1999.

The commemorative ceremony began at the Shradhhanjali Sthal in Annandale, where Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ARTRAC, laid a wreath on behalf of all ranks to honour the fallen heroes. A two-minute silence was observed as buglers sounded the solemn notes of the Last Post.

Paying homage to the heroes of Operation Vijay, Lt Gen Sharma recalled their extraordinary bravery, unwavering resolve and selfless devotion to duty while fighting in the harsh, icy heights of Kargil. He said their legacy continues to inspire generations and reinforces the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country’s unity, integrity and sovereignty. IndiaNews Updates

He added that the sacrifices of the Kargil heroes remain forever etched in the nation’s collective memory and continue to inspire millions of Indians.

Later, the Army Commander visited the Army Heritage Museum at Annandale. Located in the scenic Annandale valley, the museum showcases the courage and sacrifices of Indian soldiers across generations. He appreciated the museum’s efforts to preserve valuable military artefacts, battle memorabilia and historical records, ensuring that the legacy of patriotism and military honour is passed on to future generations.

On the 27th #KargilVijayDiwas, HQ #ARTRAC paid rich tribute to the extraordinary courage, grit and supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts of #OperationVijay. Lt Gen Devendra Sharma,PVSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, ARTRAC led the wreath laying ceremony at the Shradhhanjali Sthal, Annadale, Shimla , paying solemn homage on behalf of all ranks. Marking the day, the Army Commander visited the Army Heritage Museum at Annadale, appreciating its dedicated efforts in safeguarding military heritage and passing on the legacy of patriotism to future generations. The valour of our heroes remains an enduring beacon of resolve for the