Press Trust of India

Nation salutes soldiers for sacrifices they offer: Prez Kovind

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Srinagar: President Ram Nath Kovind, who visited the Dagger War Memorial in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday, said it evokes profound respect for the brave fighters who laid down their lives for the safety and security of the country.
Kovind was scheduled to visit the War Memorial at Drass in Ladakh to pay homage to personnel of the armed forces killed in the 1999 Kargil war, but bad weather forced cancellation of plans and he instead paid tributes to martyrs on the 22nd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas at Baramulla.
The president, in a message in the visitor’s book at the Dagger War Memorial, wrote: “The nation salutes the soldiers and officers of the 19th Infantry Division, who have been safeguarding our borders in the most hostile terrains under adverse weather conditions as our frontline troops.”
They have scripted exceptional stories of indomitable courage, bravery and sacrifice, he said in his message.
“The Dagger War Memorial evokes profound respect for the brave fighters who laid down their lives for the safety and security of our country. I am sure that this memorial will educate the people of India about the highest values of the Indian army and inspire them. Jai Hind!” he wrote.
The president, who was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, also visited the High Altitude Warfare School at Gulmarg and interacted with troops there.
“It has been a pleasure to visit the High Altitude Warfare School at Gulmarg. Established by the great General Thimayya, it has emerged as one of the most premier institutions in the field of warfare,” Kovind wrote in the visitor’s book of training school.
The president said that he was also happy to interact with the soldiers.
“I wish them success in their endeavours to provide safety and security to our country. Jai Hind!” he wrote.
Notably, aad weather forced the cancellation of President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Drass to pay homage to martyrs on the 22nd anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, officials said here.
It is for the second time in three years that the President could not fly to Drass for the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations.
Officials said the President’s flight could not take off to Drass due to bad weather.
In 2019, bad weather had prevented Kovind from visiting Drass and instead, he paid tributes by laying a wreath at a war memorial at the Army’s 15 Corps headquarters in Badamibagh here.
The celebrations were not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The officials said the plan B was put into motion following the cancellation of the plan A (visit to Drass) and the President visited the Baramulla War Memorial in north Kashmir to pay homage to the martyrs.
In 1999, the Indian armed forces defeated attempts by Pakistan to capture strategic heights in Kargil. It was named ‘Operation Vijay’ (victory).
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha accompanied the President.
On Tuesday, Kovind will address the 19th annual convocation of the University of Kashmir at SKICC auditorium here, the officials added.
He would leave for Delhi on Wednesday morning.


Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India is lead news agency of India

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