Srinagar: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 25th-anniversary ceremonies of the Kargil War and honour the valiant individuals who gave their lives in the nation’s defence.
At the technical section of Srinagar International Airport, the Prime Minister was greeted by DGP R.R. Swain, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Manoj Sinha.
PM Modi was met at the airport by J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina and a few other high-ranking party officials before his flight to Drass town.
On Friday, PM Modi will visit the Kargil War memorial in Drass, a solemn site that stands as a testament to the sacrifices made during the war, to take part in the commemorations marking the victory’s silver jubilee.
Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Drass on Thursday. He attended many programmes organised to celebrate the historic victory.
He will address troops at the Kargil War Memorial at Drass. The PM will also visit Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield guarded by the country’s Army.
In one of the most difficult military operations in India’s history since independence, the Indian Army, supported by the Air Force, drove Pakistani Army regulars from the region’s rough and mountainous mountain summits throughout the three-month Kargil War of 1999.
More than 500 brave soldiers of the Indian Army, with their unwavering courage and dedication, paid the supreme sacrifice to make the country proud.
Ladakh Lt. Governor, Brigadier (Retd) B.D. Mishra, Army Chief and senior Commanders of the Army will be present on the occasion.
PM Modi will also digitally launch the Shinkun La tunnel project’s first blast on Friday while in Ladakh. This ambitious project, when completed, will be the highest tunnel in the world. It is being built under the Nimu-Padum-Darcha route in Ladakh, a region known for its challenging terrain and weather conditions.
The twin-tube tunnel, 4.1 kilometres in length, will be built approximately 15,800 feet above sea level. It will give Leh town connectivity in all weather conditions.
The Shinkun La tunnel project, a significant step towards the Ladakh region’s social and economic development, will ensure the timely and effective mobility of the military and equipment, underscoring its strategic importance.
The tunnel will be an essential conduit between the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh and the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The two current routes to Leh are the Manali-Atal Tunnel-Sarchu-Leh and the Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh.
–IANS
