Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday sought to remind and warn Pakistan that his country could cross the de-facto border Line of Control (LoC) if needed.
He said it on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas while paying tributes to the fallen heroes of the 1999 war with Pakistan.
Singh, who was in the Drass area of India's Ladakh Union Territory, was addressing the soldiers at the Kargil War Memorial. He also laid a wreath at the memorial to pay rich tributes to the bravehearts.
“I salute those brave sons, who sacrificed everything for the protection of the motherland. I salute those brave sons who put the nation first and did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for it.”
Accusing Pakistan of backstabbing India, the minister said that the Kargil war was imposed on the country.
He said that a war is not just between two armies but between two nations..."Even after winning the war on 26 July 1999, if our forces did not cross the LoC, it is only because we are peace-loving, we believe in Indian values, and we have a commitment to international law."
"At that time if we did not cross the LoC it does not mean that we could not cross the LoC. We could cross the LoC, we can cross the LoC and will cross the LoC in future if there is a need, I assure the countrymen,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid rich tributes to the Kargil war heroes.
In a tweet in Hindi, Prime Minister Modi said: “Kargil Vijay Diwas brings to the fore the heroic saga of those wonderful bravehearts of India, who will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen. On this special day, I bow and salute them from the bottom of my heart."
Apart from Modi, other ministers as well as politicians across the parties remembered the war heroes and paid tributes.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet in Hindi said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is the day of victory of millions of countrymen. It is a day to pay tribute to all the mighty warriors who defended every inch of their motherland with sky-high spirits and firm determination.
"Through their sacrifice, the brave soldiers of Mother India not only maintained the pride and glory of the nation but also kept the traditions alive. On behalf of the grateful nation, I salute their dedication to keep the integrity of the country intact by hoisting the tricolor proudly again on the inaccessible hills of Kargil.”
Meanwhile, in his tribute to the Kargil bravhearts, Congress politician Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi: “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I salute to all the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice protecting India's border. The country will always be indebted to them. Jai Hind.”
Uttar Pradesh State Chief Yogi Adityanath paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the Kargil Shaheed Smriti Vatika (a memorial park dedicated to Kargil martyrs) in Lucknow city.
Yogi Adityanath Pays Floral Tributes to Martyrs of 1999 Kargil War Heroes
© Photo : Twitter/@myogiadityanath
Meanwhile, a two-day event to mark victory day and commemorate the martyrdom of the 559 soldiers in the 1999 Kargil war began in Ladakh on Tuesday.
The celebrations begin at Lamochen viewpoint where war heroes and families of fallen soldiers remembered the brave souls. Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was the chief guest.
In the evening, tributes were offered at the Kargil War Memorial by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, many current, and former top army officers.
The Army chief also felicitated the families of the fallen soldiers.
The celebration, known as "Shaurya Sandhya' (an evening of valour), commenced with an emotional rendition of patriotic songs by Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Fusion Band.