Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, addressing the solemn occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras, Ladakh, hailed the unbreakable unity and unmatched courage of the Indian Armed Forces — both during the 1999 Kargil War and the recent Operation Sindoor.
Speaking near the iconic battlegrounds of Tiger Hill, Tololing, and Point 4875, General Dwivedi paid tribute to the bravehearts of the Kargil War and reaffirmed the Indian Army’s continued commitment to safeguarding the nation.
“Operation Sindoor is our resolve, our message, and our response,” General Dwivedi declared, drawing a parallel between India’s triumph in the 1999 Operation Vijay and the decisive retaliation carried out in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. “We gave peace a chance, but Pakistan responded with cowardice. In return, we struck back with courage and precision.”
He highlighted that under Operation Sindoor, the Army conducted targeted strikes on terror infrastructure and delivered a powerful message to those seeking to destabilise India. “Our air defence stood like an unbreakable wall against drones and missiles,” he noted.
Reflecting on the events of 1999, the COAS reminded the nation of the extraordinary bravery that turned the tide during the Kargil War. “We salute those who sacrificed their lives so we can live peacefully. Their resolve, seen in their eyes, and their unmatched dedication, inspires us even today,” he said.
General Dwivedi reiterated that India’s military preparedness, strategic strength, and unity remain unwavering, stressing that every act of aggression will be met with firm and fitting responses.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, when the Indian Army successfully reclaimed strategic heights from Pakistani intruders in one of the toughest high-altitude battles in modern warfare.