The two day’s Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations officially kicked off today at the picturesque Lamochen View Point, nestled at an altitude of 11,500 feet in Drass. The event commenced with an inaugural ceremony marked by deep patriotic fervor, honoring the indomitable spirit and sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the historic Kargil War.
Lieutenant General Ritesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding of the Fire and Fury Corps, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and hoisted a newly installed 82-foot-high Tricolour, symbolizing the bravery and resilience of the armed forces. The breathtaking backdrop of iconic battle sites—Batra Top, Tiger Hill, and Tololing—served as a poignant reminder of the fierce battles fought in the region during Operation Vijay.
The ceremony was attended by Veer Naaris, next of kin of fallen soldiers and war heroes, who were treated to a moving narration of the battles that unfolded in Dras, Kargil, and Batalik sectors between June and July 1999. The stories shared by veterans filled the audience with pride and evoked memories of the valor displayed by soldiers facing extreme challenges.
Retired Major General Ashim Kohli, a Kargil War hero and CEO of the Flag Foundation of India, while remembering the day’s back in 1999 told News24 that “The war we fought 26 years ago in Kargil is vastly different from recent skirmishes,” he said, and added the technological advancements have transformed warfare. He described the flag hoisting at Lamochen as a unique event that beautifully encapsulates the spirit of those historic battles.
Family members of fallen heroes gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones, expressing pride and sorrow. Pranita Rai, daughter of a martyr, poignantly shared, “We are very proud… he lost his life during the war, but there is always an emptiness in our hearts that we lost somebody we loved.”
The toughest battles during the Kargil War were fought in Drass, particularly for Tololing, Tiger Hill, and Batra Top, among others. Most of these peaks are situated between 16,000 and 18,000 feet above sea level.
The Battle of Tiger Hill, located at an elevation of 16,608 feet, witnessed the incredible ascent by Alpha and Charlie Companies of the 18th Battalion, The Grenadiers (18 Grenadiers), who scaled a 1,000-foot vertical cliff on the rear side of the mountain. After days of intense fighting on the peak, the 18 Grenadiers successfully seized the mountaintop on the morning of July 8.
Another significant battle took place at Batra Top, also known as Point 4875, which has an elevation of 15,990 feet (4,874 meters) above sea level. This peak was renamed in honor of Captain Vikram Batra, who led the charge to capture it during the Kargil War.
Shaheed Captain Batra became a household name in India during the Kargil War. The young and spirited officer of the Indian Army, who was also code-named “Shershaah” during the conflict in 1999, attained martyrdom while fighting for his motherland on July 7, 1999. Captain Batra laid down his life while engaged in combat at Point 4875, which was subsequently named ‘Batra Top’ in his honor.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually on July 26 to commemorate the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the 84-day conflict that began after Pakistan’s infiltration on May 5, 1999.
