Remembering Kargil: Tribute paid to jawans for war valour

The first anniversary of flushing out Pakistani infiltrators from Kargil was marked by splendid celebrations throughout the state on Wednesday with main function held at Shaheed Smarak in Shahibaug.

"Kargil Vijay Divas" commenced with Governor Sundar Singh Bhandari paying homage to soldiers, who laid their lives for the motherland during the 47-day conflict.

Twelve jawans from the state became martyrs during Operation Vijay to flush out Pakistani army backed infiltrator and army regulars between May 26, 1999 to July 26, 1999.

The Indian Army jawans performed salami shastra, shok shastra to pay tributes to the martyrs.

Earlier in the day Gen. B.S. Dhillion, GOC, 11 Infantry, Air Marshal V.K. Bhatia, AOC-in-C Swac and Air Marshal P.S. Pingle laid the wreath at the smarak.

An impressive fly past by three MiG 23 fighter jets, in a box formation, signified homage to the personnel, who made the supreme sacrifice to guard the motherland.

"It’s an occasion to mourn as well as rejoice. We lost our beloved men but their laid their lives for a noble cause that ultimately got us victory over the enemy," said Lt. Col. K.S. Shaktawat. He added that during the Kargil operation the whole country stood united with the Armed Forces to foil the evil designs of the enemy.

When asked why ex-servicemen and members of the public were not invited, he said the function was open for everyone and no invitations were forwarded. "We tried to publicise the event so that maximum number of people participated in the ceremony," he said.

Soldiers from Gujarat, who lost their lives during the conflict include Mukesh Kumar Rathod from Ahmedabad, sepoy Dineshbhai Vaghela from Kheda, gunner Ramesh Jogal, Mahipatsinh Jadeja, Ashoksinh Jadeja from Jamnagar, Harendra Giri Goswami from Junagadh, sepoy Shailesh Ninama, sepoy Somaji Gomaji and Kantibhai Kotwal from Sabarkantha, sepoy Rumalbhai Rajat and sepoy Bhalabhai Baria from Panchmahal, Chhagan Baria from Dahod and Dilipsinh Chauhan from Surendranagar.

In Bhuj too wreaths were laid at military station in remembrance of all the martyrs. The shooting down of Pakistani naval reconnaissance aircraft "Atlantique" by Indian Air Force in August 1999 immediately after flushing out of infiltrators from Kargil was also remembered. The aircraft intruded the Indian airspace near Koteshwar to gather sensitive information about civil and military establishments.

The state government also celebrated the occasion with observing the Kargil Vijay Diwas at district headquarters. State Energy Minister Kaushik Patel offered floral tributes to Kargil martyr Mukesh Rathod at Meghaninagar Municipal School number 2, which has been renamed in his honour.

Republished from Asian Age