Latest news with #KargilWarof
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
BSF, CRPF organise cycle rallies in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 27 (UNI) As part of the Khelo India Scheme's Fit India Initiative, a series of cycle rallies were organised here today. While the Srinagar Sector Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a Cycle Campaign from Lal Chowk Clock Tower to Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the Border Security Force Kashmir Frontier organised a mega cycle rally which started from Nishat Garden. A BSF spokesperson said that, in celebration of the Khelo India Scheme's Fit India Initiative and to commemorate Vijay Diwas, a mega cycle rally was jointly organised by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the BSF Kashmir Frontier. The event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout, including civil dignitaries, local youth, civilians, and BSF personnel. The proceedings began with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by the singing of the national anthem. A solemn moment of silence was observed to honor the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces. DIG BSF Srinagar, Raghubir Singh, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and flagged off the rally from Nishat Garden, Srinagar. Two hundred riders took part in the rally, which traversed the Dal Lake and culminated at the Botanical Garden. Cyclists carried the tricolor, receiving a warm and patriotic welcome from local residents at various points along the route. The event fostered a profound sense of enthusiasm, national pride, and unity among all participants, the spokesman said. DIG BSF dedicated the rally to the valiant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War of 1999, underlining their extraordinary valor, dedication, and resilience in one of the world's most challenging terrains. 'Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds us of the unflinching courage and ultimate sacrifice of our bravehearts. It is our duty to remember and honor their legacy,' he stated. Similarly a cycle rally was organised by Srinagar Sector CRPF from Lal Chowk Clock Tower to SKICC Srinagar today. CRPF officers and personnel participated in the cycle campaign with enthusiasm and patriotic fervor. The event was flagged off by PK Singh, DIG Srinagar South CRPF. UNI MJR BM
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Assam pays tribute to Kargil War heroes
Guwahati: Along with the rest of the country, Kargil Vijay Diwas was commemorated across Assam to mark the anniversary of India's historic victory in the Kargil War of 1999 on Saturday. The day honours the success of Operation Vijay, through which the Indian Armed Forces recaptured strategic high-altitude outposts that were illegally occupied by Pakistani intruders. The war officially concluded on July 26, 1999, and India was victorious in evicting the infiltrators and restoring the sanctity of the Line of Control. To honour the unwavering courage and supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts of the Kargil War, a solemn wreath-laying and commemorative ceremony was organised by the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam, at the State War Memorial at Dighalipukhuri. The ceremony was graced by governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. A respectful "Present Arms" was offered to the Amar Jawan, followed by the laying of wreaths in memory of the fallen heroes. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, by Brig Polash Choudhury (Retd), Director, Sainik Welfare, Assam, who is also a Kargil War veteran. Sarma wrote on X, "On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and sacrifice of our brave forces who fought against the enemy in the icy heights and dealt them a body blow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo Their bravery not only ensured India's victory but also reiterated our commitment to protect the honour of Maa Bharti. " Representatives of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force also paid floral tributes. Distinguished retired officers, Brig Ranjit Borthakur, SM (Retd), Commodore K C Choudhury, VSM (Retd), and Group Captain Debananda Gohain (Retd) laid wreaths on behalf of their respective services. Wreaths were also laid by ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, Veer Matas, and family members of Kargil War heroes. Notably, Col Dilip Kumar Borah (Retd), who was the Commanding Officer of 18 Grenadiers during the Kargil War, paid tribute and shared personal experiences from the battlefield.
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Military Digest: Another Kargil Vijay Diwas, another reminder of some uneasy questions that should not be wished away
In just a few days, the country will celebrate the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, marking the successful eviction of the Pakistan Army from the icy heights it had intruded upon in 1999. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the failures that allowed Pakistani troops to occupy Indian territory without detection. Celebrated annually on July 26, Kargil Vijay Diwas honours India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999. And while the bravery of the young officers and troops who snatched victory from the enemy's hands in the most treacherous terrains must be commemorated, it is equally important not to forget that there are many questions which remain unanswered till today. There have been numerous public accounts in recent years where senior officers have revealed that there were tell-tale signs indicating something was amiss weeks or months before the intrusions were actually discovered. Officers who were part of the higher echelons at the time have claimed over the years that it was known to Military Operations (MO) Directorate and Military Intelligence (MI) that Pakistan Army was replacing regular infantry battalions along the Line of Control (LoC) with Northern Light Infantry (NLI) units, the ones which eventually intruded into Indian territory. They claimed that the intelligence agencies and Army leadership made insufficient efforts to determine the reasons for this move, as well as where they were being utilised and for what purposes. The unrealistic frontage of 121 (Independent) Infantry Brigade headquartered in Kargil was 227 km, and it had about eight to nine battalions, including a BSF battalion under its Order of Battle (ORBAT). There was one battalion each in Dras, Kaksar, Chhani Gund, one in the central sector and one in Batalik. The brigade had 26 Maratha LI in Mushkoh and 9 Mahar in the gaps created by the withdrawal of the 28th Infantry Division, which had moved to the valley for counterinsurgency operations. This move has also been adversely commented upon in retrospect. The then Brigade Commander, Brigadier Surinder Singh, who was later moved out in the midst of operations and has since challenged his subsequent dismissal from service in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), has claimed over the years that he sounded sufficient warnings. In a conversation with this correspondent some years ago, Brig Surinder Singh mentioned that he had conducted a reconnaissance as soon as he was posted as Brigade Commander. He said that he found some defences had to be prepared, and he made a detailed report, requesting defence stores and identifying possible points of intrusion. The higher formation headquarters is alleged to have refused this request, as well as the demand for mines to be laid on LoC. He also said that he briefed higher headquarters on the sand model in the operations room and war-gamed it in August or September 1998. In Mushkoh, posts were vacated in the winter for six months and in Batalik for four to five months. The then brigade commander claimed that he advised against removing the battalions from these places, but they were still removed, which resulted in gaps being created on the LoC that the enemy exploited. According to Lt Gen K H Singh, who commanded the 27 Rajput Battalion during the Kargil conflict, a significant information gap existed at the end of 1998. By March 1999, there were reasonable inputs about the intrusions by Pakistanis. The General also said that tell-tale signs of the intrusions were revealed much earlier than when they were actually discovered in May 1999, and he gave examples of having seen signs of intruders while on a helicopter sortie with the GOC of the Division. In this context, a former officer of the 5th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (5 Para), ex-Major Manish Bhatnagar, has also raised several questions regarding the discovery of the intrusions and how these were subsequently handled during the conduct of operations. Bhatnagar was court-martialled in 2001 and dismissed from service. He had been found guilty of 'acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline' and handed out what seemed to be an excessive punishment disproportionate to the offence. The more serious charge against him pertained to disobeying a command to attack a position reportedly occupied by the Pakistan army. However, this charge could not be proven during his court-martial, and Bhatnagar was found not guilty. Bhatnagar contended during his trial that he had reported Pakistani intrusions well before they were discovered in May 1999 but that the Army top brass had disregarded his warnings. Bhatnagar's contention is that in January-February 1999, he observed and reported enemy activity at Point 5770, the northernmost and highest peak later reclaimed from Pakistani army regulars as part of Operation Vijay on June 29, 1999, by the 27th battalion of the Rajput Regiment. Bhatnagar said that he repeatedly reported enemy activities and exchange of fire while he was in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation close to Point 5770 and that he even spotted an enemy bunker and reported as above, in regular written situation reports, message log books and conversations up the chain of command to his then commanding officer, Col A K Srivastava. These reports were sent up the chain of command to Brigadier P C Katoch, then commander of the 102 Infantry Brigade and Major General V S Budhwar, then general officer commanding of the 3 Infantry Division. These claims and statements cannot be wished away, and till a definite answer is found to them, they will continue to resonate on every Kargil war anniversary.
