Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kargil's Dras on Friday to attend the silver jubilee celebrations of 'Kargil Vijay Divas'. The two-day event, being held to commemorate India's win against Pakistan in Kargil, began at Dras on Thursday.
Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial to pay homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, his office said on Thursday.
The Prime Minister, in a post on X, added that the work on the Shinkun La Tunnel Project will also commence on Friday. "This project is important to improve connectivity to Leh, especially during bad weather," he said. Modi will mark the start of the project by carrying out the first blast of the project virtually.
#WATCH | Dras, Ladakh: Preparation visuals from the Kargil War Memorial ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit today on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas.
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
PM Modi will pay tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War https://t.co/6KVshdjRhv pic.twitter.com/QtShWHEElS
The project consists of a 4.1-km long Twin-Tube tunnel which will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu – Padum – Darcha Road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh. Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world.
Shinkun La tunnel will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of the country’s armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh, a statement on the project added.
Army personnel light candles at the Drass War Memorial during 'Shaurya Sandhya', organised to commemorate the 545 martyrs of Kargil war | PTI
Meanwhile, war heroes joined in as the country celebrated the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Thursday in Dras. The event saw the attendance of next of kin of those who laid down their lives during the Kargil War, senior serving officers and gallantry awardees.
While the participants reminisced about the battle at Lamochen View Point, 'Vijay Bhoj', and 'Shaurya Sandhya', a special event was held at Lamochen View Point.
The event began with a microlight aircraft demonstration followed by an audio-visual narration of the battles, vividly recreating the scenes of each confrontation against the backdrop of the very mountains where these fierce battles were fought, a senior official told PTI.
The narrations were followed by reminiscences from war heroes themselves, bringing to life the bravery, indomitable spirit, and everlasting zeal of Indian soldiers.
