Dehradun: The Nation is celebrating 21st anniversary of the victory in the Kargil War. Two decades ago, on July 26, Indian Armed forces secured one of the most dramatic and hard-fought victories in history.
Each year India remembers its brave hearts on July 26, celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The country remembers the extreme valour, sacrifice and exemplary courage of Indian soldiers.
For Uttarakhand, this Kargil Vijay Diwas is of utmost importance as there is not a single district in the state which did not lose its brave son in this war.
Out of 526 Indian soldiers, 75 martyrs belonged to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand who sacrificed their lives while fighting bravely for the country.
They had fought courageously for the nation and ultimately had to sacrifice their lives in order to keep the enemies at bay.
Read: 21 years to the martyrdom of first Kargil martyr Capt Saurabh Kalia
The spirit of the soldiers of a small state can not be forgotten. The entire state was in tears when as many as 9 bodies of martyrs were brought together by the helicopter on the parade ground of the Garhwal Regimental Center.
In the Kargil war, the Indian Army had lost 524 of its soldiers and 1363 soldiers were seriously injured. In this war, about four thousand soldiers of the Pakistani army were also killed.
47 soldiers of the Garhwal Rifles were martyred in the Kargil war. Out of which 41 were from Uttarakhand, while 16 soldiers from the Kumaon Regiment had sacrificed their lives.
For their valiant efforts in the military warfare at Kargil conflict, 37 gallantry awards were bestowed to heroes of the state.
The innate passion to serve for the nation selflessly can be judged from the fact that 15% of the population in the state consists of ex-army servicemen.
It is to be noted that the Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended with India regaining control of all the previously held territory.
Also Read: Remembering Kargil War hero Captain Vijayant Thapar and his last letter
