India Marks 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas With National Tributes, Tech Showcases and Martyr Outreach

India commemorated the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 with solemn national tributes, large-scale outreach to the families of martyrs, and a strong emphasis on modernisation and military readiness. 

The Indian Army led the commemorations at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh, paying homage to the 545 soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. 

Image Source: Defence Minister

The central events were attended by top political and military leadership including Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, Ladakh Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta, and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi.

Over two days, the armed forces honoured the fallen through a series of symbolic and technological tributes. 

These included the lighting of 545 lamps—each representing a fallen hero—religious prayers by leaders of multiple faiths, and emotional interactions with the Next of Kin of martyrs. 

In a rare gesture, the Army reached out to all 545 families across 27 states, two union territories, and Nepal, reaffirming its enduring bond with them.

At Dras, Gen Dwivedi inaugurated legacy projects such as the Indus View Point near the Batalik sector, providing a view of the Indus river as it flows into Pakistan-occupied territory. 

He also launched the e-Shradhanjali portal, enabling citizens to digitally pay tributes, and a QR-based audio gateway that provides narrated historical content at the War Memorial.

In his keynote address, the Army Chief paid tribute to the courage displayed during both the Kargil War and recent operations such as Operation Sindoor, reiterating India’s readiness to defend its sovereignty while also pursuing peace. 

Gen Dwivedi highlighted the Army’s transformation into a future-ready force, citing the operational deployment of ‘Rudra’ all-arms brigades, ‘Bhairav’ light commando units, drone-augmented infantry, and indigenous artillery and air defence systems. 

He stressed the soldier’s contribution not just in battle but also in nation-building, infrastructure development, and veteran welfare.

The commemorations also included a Capability Display by the Indian Army showcasing indigenously developed high-altitude drones, advanced mobility platforms, and surveillance systems—under the theme “Tech Absorption: Imbibe, Innovate, Integrate.”

Cultural performances, battle story reenactments, and patriotic audio-visual tributes added an emotional dimension to the observance.

Earlier, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid homage at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, calling the sacrifices of Kargil’s fallen soldiers a “timeless reminder of the Armed Forces’ resolve.” 

Chiefs of all three military services and the Defence Secretary also laid wreaths, reaffirming India’s military unity.

A special padyatra—organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports under Mera Yuva Bharat—saw the participation of over 1,000 youth and personnel, covering a 1.5 km stretch in Dras. Senior ministers, including Mandaviya and Sanjay Seth, joined the march, which concluded at the Government Higher Secondary School, Bhimbet, before a wreath-laying at the memorial.

The Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army all released messages underscoring the bravery, honour, and legacy of the Kargil heroes. The Chiefs collectively emphasised that the spirit of the soldier continues to drive India's defence posture, as seen in the continued rollout of modernisation programmes and domestic production capabilities.

The 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas not only served as a tribute to past sacrifices but also projected the Indian Army’s commitment to preparing for future conflicts with cutting-edge technology and a people-first ethos.