20 years of Kargil: Nation pays tribute to the bravehearts on Kargil Vijay Diwas

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday attended the wreath-laying ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, along with other security officials, as a tribute to the fallen martyrs.

He had earlier hailed the "grit and valour of those who defended India" on the 20th anniversary of India's triumph in the Kargil war.

"On Kargil Vijay Diwas, a grateful nation acknowledges the gallantry of our Armed Forces on the heights of Kargil in 1999. We salute the grit and valour of those who defended India, and record our everlasting debt to those who never returned. Jai Hind," President Kovind tweeted.

On Kargil Vijay Diwas, a grateful nation acknowledges the gallantry of our Armed Forces on the heights of Kargil in 1999.

We salute the grit and valour of those who defended India, and record our everlasting debt to those who never returned.

Jai Hind! #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 26, 2019

He was supposed to visit the Drass memorial later in the day, but due to bad weather, the visit was cancelled.

The three Services Chiefs of the Armed Forces paid homage at the Drass War Memorial.

As the nation observes the 20th anniversary of the Kargil war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared pictures of his visit to the area during the conflict and his interaction with the soldiers.

During the Kargil War in 1999, I had the opportunity to go to Kargil and show solidarity with our brave soldiers.

This was the time when I was working for my Party in J&K as well as Himachal Pradesh.

The visit to Kargil and interactions with soldiers are unforgettable. pic.twitter.com/E5QUgHlTDS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2019

In the photographs, he is seen interacting with army men and meeting wounded soldiers. He also shared a video clip paying tribute to the martyrs and saluting the bravery of the soldiers who fought in the war.

कारगिल विजय दिवस पर मां भारती के सभी वीर सपूतों का मैं हृदय से वंदन करता हूं। यह दिवस हमें अपने सैनिकों के साहस, शौर्य और समर्पण की याद दिलाता है। इस अवसर पर उन पराक्रमी योद्धाओं को मेरी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि, जिन्होंने मातृभूमि की रक्षा में अपना सर्वस्व न्योछावर कर दिया। जय हिंद! pic.twitter.com/f7cpUFLO9o

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2019

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday paid his tributes at the National War Memorial in Delhi on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute at National War Memorial on 20th #KargilVijayDiwas. pic.twitter.com/PWssdObUJY

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2019

The Defence Minister had earlier launched the Department of Defence Production Dashboard for effective monitoring of various initiatives and schemes taken up by his Ministry.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), from their official Twitter handle, uploaded a video clip intended to pay homage to the Kargil martyrs and salute the courage, valour and sacrifice of the bravehearts.

"Let's remember the supreme sacrifice made by brave soldiers of India, to uphold and safeguard the integrity of the nation", the tweet said.

#KargilVijayDiwas : Let's pay homage to the Kargil martyrs & salute the courage, valour & sacrifice of our bravehearts.
Let's remember the supreme sacrifice made by brave soldiers of India, to uphold & safeguard the integrity of the NATION.#20YearsOfKargilVijay #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/Xv5B9bX4cD

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 26, 2019

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had earlier said that the bravery, valour and determination of the Indian armed forces had played a significant role in winning the Kargil War in 1999. And while bravery, valour and determination remain firm pillars of the armed forces, capabilities have vastly improved over the years since India's triumph against Pakistan, he said.

The Dras War Memorial was built in 2014 by the Indian Army to commemorate sacrifice of the soldiers who fought Kargil War. The 20th anniversary of the Kargil War was observed with a demonstration there.

20th #KargilVijayDivas being celebrated at Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Jammu & Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/nFzaJntNRA

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2019

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh paid their tributes at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras.

#WATCH Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh pay tribute at Kargil War Memorial in Dras on 20th #KargilVijayDiwas pic.twitter.com/0A6qagg1ZX

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2019

The soldiers at the Kargil Battle School also demonstrated various war skills at a designated training mountain at Jammu and Kashmir's Drass. They displayed various climbing techniques, rappelling and abseiling.

They also showed their skill in evicting the casualty from high terrains. Kargil Battle School was opened to provide training to soldiers who are deployed in the heights along the Line of Control (LoC) in this region.