Rich tributes to be paid to Kargil martyrs on July 26 at Drass

Jammu, July 4 (UNI) Rich tributes will be paid to 570 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation during the 1999 Kargil operations, at a function on July 26 at Drass sector of Kargil district.

A nine-day 'Maha Yagya' would also be organised in Kargil from July 18 to mark the seventh anniversary of the 'Operation Vijay', which was launched by the Indian Army to evict intruders from the Drass sector in July 1999.

Ati Vishnu Mahayagya Samiti, a religious trust working for the promotion of communal harmony and brotherhood in J&K, will organize Sarva Dharma Pooja at Drass from July 18 to 26.

Swami Balak Yogeshwar Das, who organizing the function with the help of army and administrative officers, said today in a press conference that all the arrangement have been completed.

''The 'Yagya' would be held at Tiger Hill, Batra Top, Battalik Hill and Tololing Hill which witnessed fierce fight between the Indian Army and Pakistan-sponsored intruders,'' he said.

''I have extended invitation to two dozen VVIPs including US President George W Bush, President A P J Abdul Kalam, Pakistan President Genaral Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad,'' Swami Yogeshwar said.

The Swami said the families of all the Kargil Martyrs have also been invited and their boarding and lodging expenses will be borne by the NGO. The family members of martyrs will be honoured on the occasion.

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