Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25

The “Victory Flame” that has journeyed from New Delhi to Kargil will be carried in its last lap by a war wounded veteran and a Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee when it reaches the Kargil War Memorial at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

Maj DP Singh (retd), who lost his right leg while being posted along the Line of Control during Operation Vijay, will run the last leg among the retired soldiers. He will hand over the flame to PVC awardee Subedar Yogendra Yadav, from whom Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will receive it.

Despite losing a leg, Major DP Singh participates in sports activities using a steel/aluminum cast leg.

Major Singh, who served in the 7th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, said, “I’m ready to run the last lap and will remember the sacrifices made 20 years ago.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flagged off the “Victory Flame” from National War Memorial on July 14. The flame was handed over to Olympic shooter Subedar Jitu Rai in the presence of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and Kargil War hero Subedar Sanjay Kumar, a Param Vir Chakra awardee.

The “Victory Flame”, passed through nine major towns and cities of north India. The torch is made of copper, brass and wood.

Will run last leg

• Major DP Singh (retd), who lost his right leg while being posted along the Line of Control during Operation Vijay, will run the last leg among the retired soldiers
• He will hand over the flame to PVC awardee Subedar Yogendra Yadav, from whom Army Chief General Bipin Rawat will receive it