26 July,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
To commemorate the 26th anniversary of Kargil Diwas in Mumbai, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Tri-Services War Memorial in Colaba on Saturday. Pic/Defence PRO
Mumbaikars paid tribute to the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025. The day is observed annually on July 26 to mark India's victory in the 1999 war against Pakistan in âOperation Vijay'.
It stands as a symbol of the unmatched courage displayed by Indian soldiers who braved extreme conditions to reclaim Indian territory from infiltrators in the Kargil-Drass sector of Ladakh.
Operation Vijay remains a shining chapter in India's military history, showcasing the indomitable spirit of the forces who operated at altitudes of 16,000 feet under harsh weather conditions to secure the nation's borders.
To commemorate the 26th anniversary of this historic victory in Mumbai, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Tri-Services War Memorial in Colaba.
The event honoured the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during the conflict.
The wreaths were laid by Lieutenant General Pawan Chadha, VSM, SM, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area; Vice-Admiral Ajay Kochhar, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command; and Group Captain SL Mahajan, Officiating Air Officer Commanding (Maritime Air Operations). Several veterans and senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force were also present to pay their respects.
The ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the Indian Armed Forces' unflinching commitment to protecting the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It also reaffirmed the collective resolve of citizens and the armed forces alike to remain steadfast in the face of any threat to the country.
Various similar events were observed across the country to pay tributes to India's bravehearts.
Operation Sindoor: Maharashtra to open garden honouring armed forces in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, says minister
A themed garden dedicated to âOperation Sindoor' will soon be developed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to honour the valour of the Indian Armed Forces, Maharashtra Minister Atul Save announced on Saturday.
He was speaking at an event held to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where a T-55 battle tank was unveiled for public display as a tribute to the soldiers who fought during the 1999 Kargil conflict, PTI reported.
"Work is already underway on a Kargil War-themed garden in the city, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore. We've already acquired a tank, and an aircraft display is also in the pipeline," said Save, who is the Minister for Other Backward Classes. "On similar lines, we will establish a garden based on Operation Sindoor. The municipal corporation needs to provide suitable land, and the state government will ensure funding," he added.
Operation Vijay, which culminated on July 26, 1999, marked India's victory in the Kargil War, after nearly three months of intense combat at high altitudes in Ladakh. The day is observed every year as Kargil Vijay Diwas to honour the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
Speaking at the event, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's Municipal Commissioner, G Shrikant, said the Kargil Smriti Van, which is being developed at the site of a former dumping ground, is a matter of great pride for the city.
"We are proud of this transformation. The municipal corporation will extend all necessary support to ensure that the garden dedicated to Operation Sindoor is completed at the earliest," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
