Echoes of valour: Remembering Kargil’s heroes on Vijay Diwas

As the nation commemorates Vijay Diwas, Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retd), who hails from Mandi district, recalled the defining moments of the Kargil War, paying tribute to the unyielding courage, sacrifice and resilience of the Indian soldier.

Reflecting on the 1999 conflict, he said, “Vijay Diwas is not just about a military triumph; it is a reminder of the timeless bravery of our soldiers — from the icy heights of Tololing and Tiger Hill to the perilous battlegrounds of Operation Sindoor. The story of India’s defence is etched in grit, patriotism and unflinching resolve.”

Brig Thakur, who commanded the 18 Grenadiers during the war, recalled how 26 years ago, the Kargil heights echoed with the cries of battle, where young officers and jawans from battalions such as 18 Grenadiers, eight Sikh and 13 JAK Rifles scaled near-vertical cliffs under enemy fire. “They didn’t fight for glory, but for duty,” he said.

“Tololing was the turning point. For days, our troops crawled up bare, exposed slopes in the minus 11 degrees C cold, with no cover but their courage. Officers like Major Rajesh Adhikari and Lt Col Vishwanathan led from the front and laid down their lives, inspiring generations to come.”

He described the capture of Tiger Hill as a moment when “acts of gallantry became legend.” Towering over 16,500 feet, it was the enemy’s most formidable bastion.

Brig Thakur recalled how Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, despite being shot multiple times, feigned death, crawled back with critical enemy intelligence and lived to earn the Param Vir Chakra. He also praised Lt Balwan Singh and Capt Nimbalkar, who led their men through relentless fire to seize the peak. “These were not just battles — they were trials of national spirit. And India prevailed.”

Drawing parallels with today’s operations, he noted that Indian soldiers continue to exhibit the same valour, now with advanced equipment and precision strategy. “Today, as our troops execute operations like Op Sindoor, they do so with better tools, but the same bloodline of bravery. At the heart of it all remains the Indian soldier — resolute, selfless and fiercely patriotic.”

Brig Thakur added poignantly, “If we had today’s technology back then, perhaps fewer mothers would have cried. But sacrifice is the cost of freedom.”

Himachal Tribune