India paid tribute to its fallen heroes on the occassion of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Sunday.
Against the towering backdrop of the Tololing peak, where guns once roared twenty seven years ago, the Kargil War Memorial in Drass echoed with tributes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Armed Forces officers and civil dignitaries laid wreaths at the memorial, paying homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan.
The solemn ceremony honoured the courage and determination of the heroes of Operation Vijay, who reclaimed the icy heights of Kargil after weeks of intense fighting.
Built in 2004, the Kargil War Memorial stands as a symbol of India's victory and the unwavering spirit of its soldiers.
At its heart stands a sandstone obelisk engraved with the words 'Op Vijay', beside an eternal flame that burns in memory of more than 500 brave hearts who laid down their lives for the nation.
The memorial keeps alive the legacy of the Kargil War through galleries housing rare photographs, battlefield accounts, unit insignias and priceless military memorabilia.
Among the exhibits stands a vintage MiG 21 fighter aircraft, inducted into the memorial in 2013 as a tribute to the Indian Air Force's contribution to Operation 'Safed Sagar'.
It was part of the 'Golden Arrows', squadron number 17 located at Killi Bhisiana Airbase in Bhatinda.
Every year, the memorial draws veterans, families of martyrs and visitors from across the country, ensuring that the stories of courage, sacrifice and patriotism continue to inspire generations.
War veterans remembered the courage and resilience of Indian soldiers, highlighting the twin challenge of enemy attacks and the extreme weather during the conflict.
The tribute concluded a two day commemoration that featured cultural programmes, remembrance ceremonies and Shaurya Sandhya, where hundreds of illuminated stones in the Veer Bhoomi cenotaph zone created a poignant tribute to the fallen soldiers.