New Delhi: Today is 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The day is observed on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War Heroes. Defence Minister Manohar Parikar and three Service Chiefs paid homage to Kargil martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate in New Delhi this morning. Mr Parrikar paid rich tribute to the heroes of Kargil War and said the nation salutes them for their bravery and sacrifice.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the country will never forget the fearlessness of its courageous soldiers gave a befitting and unforgettable reply to the intruders during Kargil war. Mr Modi bowed to every valiant soldier who fought for India till the very last breath. He said the heroic sacrifices of every soldier will inspire the country.

The Prime Minister recalled with pride, the firmness demonstrated by India’s political leadership in 1999, which ensured a decisive victory in Kargil. It was on this day in 1999 that the Indian Armed Forces, as part of Operation Vijay, recaptured Indian posts in Kargil which had been occupied by Pakistan’s army.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid rich tribute to the war heroes of Kargil. In a tweet, Mr Singh said he salutes the supreme sacrifice and exemplary courage of soldiers who laid down their lives in Kargil war.

Puducherry today paid tributes to Kargil War heroes. People from all walks of life assembled at the Kargil War Memorial on Beach Road in the morning to pay homage to the brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during the war.

Public Works Minister A Namassivayam, Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Social Welfare Minister Kandasamy and DGP Sushil Kumar Goutham placed wreaths at the Memorial. TA Sajvan, Commandant, Coast Guard, Lt. Col Sathishkumar Gupta of NCC and army veterans joined in paying floral tributes to war heroes.

In Karnataka, on Vijay Diwas, tribute was paid to the martyrs of Kargil war who made supreme sacrifice while safeguarding the frontiers of the country. Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad, District Judge Sreeshananda, District Police Commissioner, Ex servicemen, widows of martyrs and school children congregated at the Kargil memorial in Dharwad to pay their homage.

District Judge Sreeshananda said that every civilian must remember the great sacrifice made by the armed forces personnel who brave extreme conditions to ensure our safety. During the Kargil war, 13 soldiers from Karnataka laid down their lives.

Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir today said, the apprehended terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir is from Pakistan. Talking to media outside Parliament , he termed the act of security personnel as a big achievement. He said, the neighbouring country will keep on failing in its attempt to disrupt peace in India.