Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, paying homage to the heroes of the 1999 conflict as India marked the 26th anniversary of its victory in the high-altitude war.

Standing beneath the snow-capped peaks where the Indian Armed Forces fought one of their most decisive battles, Khandu hailed the Kargil triumph as “not just a military victory, but also a symbol of unmatched courage and unity.”

In a series of posts on X, he recalled, “From the icy winds of Drass to the steep climb of Tiger Hill, our brave soldiers fought not just for territory, but for honour, for each other, and for every citizen who sleeps in peace tonight.” He added that “their bravery roared through fire, and their sacrifice echoes in the very soil of this land we call home.”

Reflecting on the events of May 1999, when Pakistani intruders seized strategic heights in the Kargil sector, Khandu said the Indian response “was a testament to the spirit of India.” He described Operation Vijay as “a story of young men climbing into the jaws of death with grit in their hearts and the tricolour in their hands.”

During his visit, the chief minister met Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding of the Fire & Fury Corps – a formation he praised for “walking in the footsteps of giants” and for safeguarding the legacy of those who originally reclaimed the heights. “Lt Gen Bhalla’s calm authority and dedication reflect the ethos of every soldier who once held these heights, and those who hold them still,” Khandu said.

Concluding his tribute, the chief minister emphasised the nation’s enduring gratitude: “Forever in our hearts. Forever our heroes. Jai Hind.”

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed every July 26, commemorates the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay, in which over 500 Indian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice to evict Pakistani infiltrators from the rugged heights of the Kargil sector in 1999.