SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pay tribute to the soldiers of the Indian Army on the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas by visiting Drass in the Kargil district of Ladakh on July 26, officials said.
While awaiting formal communication from the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh, officials have been informed about the Prime Minister’s anticipated visit to Drass. Modi is scheduled to arrive at Srinagar Airport from New Delhi, proceed to Drass, and spend approximately an hour there.
During his time there, he will engage with troops, pay tribute to the soldiers who died during 1999 war with Pakistan in Kargil, and then return to Srinagar en route to New Delhi.
Modi has previously visited Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, on the occasion of Diwali in 2014, shortly after assuming office as Prime Minister. He also led the International Yoga Day celebrations in Leh on June 21, 2020. However, this visit to Drass on Kargil Vijay Diwas will mark his first tribute to the fallen soldiers.
In addition to the Prime Minister, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, and Northern Command Chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi are also expected to visit Drass. The chairpersons of the Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Tashi Gyalson and Feroz Khan, will join them to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Next year, India will commemorate the silver jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Former President Ram Nath Kovind and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have previously visited Drass to pay tribute to the soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh will celebrate August 5 by organising a grand function and presenting meritorious service awards. Although Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was expected to attend the event, sources indicate that he may be abroad on that day. In such a case, a Union Minister is likely to represent the government at the function in Leh.
The LAHDC Leh has been presenting meritorious service awards annually, but after Ladakh became a Union Territory, the event is now held on August 5, which marks the day of Ladakh’s separation from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its declaration as a Union Territory. This year’s function will be on an even larger scale, with increased participation from Ladakh as well as representation from the Central Government.
The BJP has been in power in LAHDC Leh for two consecutive terms. Throughout the year, several Union Ministers have visited the Union Territory of Ladakh as part of the Central Government’s “Vibrant Villages Programme,” and more visits are expected in the near future.
