In Ladakh, the first day of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations concluded with the solemn Shaurya Sandhya ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass this evening.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Drass and participated in the ceremony. He was accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Member of Parliament from Ladakh Haji Hanifa Jan, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffar Akhone, senior Army officers, civil administration officials, veterans, Veer Naris, and families of Kargil martyrs.

 

During the ceremony, the Defence Minister felicitated the next of kin of Kargil martyrs, honouring the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts of Operation Vijay. The programme featured patriotic musical performances, the presentation of sacred Kalash containing soil from the native villages of the martyrs, interfaith prayers, the Beating Retreat ceremony, the National Anthem, and the lighting of lamps in memory of the fallen soldiers.

 

Earlier in the day, the commemorations began with Yudh Sansmaran at Lamochen View Point, where veterans shared their experiences of the Kargil War and tributes were paid to the Bravehearts.

 

The Gauravmay Sanskriti cultural programme at Vishwanathan Stadium featured patriotic performances by the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Band, the Shwet Ashwa Motorcycle Display Team, and Team Stringmo, a group of talented young girls from Kargil. Team Stringmo was felicitated by the Indian Army for its contribution to arts, education, and community service.

 

The programme also included a drone show showcasing the Indian Army’s technological advancements and evolving drone warfare capabilities.

 

The commemorative events will culminate tomorrow with the Shradhanjali Samaroh at the Kargil War Memorial on the occasion of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas.