Kargil Special: All about Kargil War Memorial at Dras in Pics

Drass, July 23: As India is all set to mark the 15th anniversary of the Kargil Victory Day (Kargil Vijay Diwas) on July 26, Saturday, it is also a moment full of pride and pain for the all the Indian soldiers as they fought bravely and laid down their lives to safeguard our motherland in 1999.

How Kargil War began?

Kargil was an international armed conflict more than a war.

The Kargil War began between India and Pakistan on May 8, 1999 when Pakistani army had illegally intruded on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the Indian territory of Ladakh from the northern areas of the state.

The war battle continued for almost three months and on July 4 1999, India recaptured Tiger Hill after an 11-hour long battle.

After Indian Army took control of Drass, east of Srinagar, on July 5, the then Prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif ordered withdrawal of Pakistani Army from Kargil following the meeting with the former US president Bill Clinton.

The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay (Kargil War) a success and by July 26, Kargil War officially came to an end as the Indian Army announced complete eviction of Pakistani intruders.

Every year, special functions are organised at Kargil and Drass in Jammu and Kashmir to pay tribute and homage to the 527 slain Indian soldiers, the Kargil War's heroes.

All about the Kargil War Memorial at Drass

The special thing about the War memorial is that it has been built on the theme of the India Gate.

Here, lets take a look at the facts related to the Kargil War Memorial in the following slide-show:

India achieved victory in the final stage of Kargil war

Kargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of Operation Vijay, is annually observed on 26th July. On July 26, 1999, the brave Indian Army had hoisted the Indian flag at the Tiger Hills and India had successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders.

War Memorial, a tribute to the Indian soldiers

Dras War Memorial also known as the Vijaypath is located in the foothills of the Tololing Hill, on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway 1D. It was built by the Indian Army in the honour of the soldiers and officers who sacrificed their lives after btavely fighting during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan.

Indian Army became victorious

Dras is said to be the second coldest place in the world, just imagine how the Indian soldiers would have borne the severe cold conditions and laid their lives for their motherland.

Refreshes the memories of the Indian soldiers

A poster depicts the Dras warriors and Tiger hills with a tagline- "no mission too difficult, no sacrifice too gret", that in itself shows the greatness and bravery of the Indian armed forces.

Amar Jyoti Jawan always remain lit up

Amar Jyoti Jawan, permanently remains lit up with flamed, to honour the immortal soldiers and it is always manned by the soldier 24 by 7. Every year, the prime minister, Chief of the Armed Forces and other senior dignitaries lay wreath around the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay homegae to the war heroes.

in Golden words

The names of the Indian soldiers and officers who lost their lives in the War are inscribed on the Memorial Wall and can be read by visitors.

Soldiers keep a watch at the India's pride- The Indian Tricolour flag

It is said that the former MP Naveen Jindal had given this Indian Flag to the Indian Armed Forces. Jindal had also established Flag Foundation of India in 2004.

"It is our flag and we all must respect it, love it, and above all fly it", Jindal had said.

with immense respect towards the Indian Army

The War Memorial has inspired many youths to join the Indian army and show their patriotism and love towards their country.

In the UNion Budget 2014-15, the Narendra Modi government had announced to set-up a war memorial and a war museum at Princess Park in New Delhi.

Kargil War Memorial in Pics

As India is all set to mark the 15th anniversary of the Kargil Victory Day (Kargil Vijay Diwas) on July 26, Saturday, it is also a moment full of pride and pain for the all the Indian soldiers as they fought bravely and laid down their lives to safeguard our motherland in 1999.

OneIndia News