Vijay Diwas celebrations bring sleepy Drass town to life

Top commanders of the Indian Army led by GOC-n-C northern command Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda on Sunday paid tributes here to the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The otherwise sleepy Drass town which is the world's second coldest inhabited place came to life on Sunday morning as army bands played devotional tunes.

Locals came out in large numbers wearing traditional dresses to be a part of the celebrations to salute the bravehearts who laid down their lives to protect their homes in 1999.

Wreaths were laid by Lieutenant General Hooda at the war memorial in the town which stands as a monument in memory of those Indian soldiers who fought valiantly.

Veterans of Kargil conflict, including Lieutenant General (Retired) Amar Aul, were present during the memorial salute and celebration besides the families of the martyrs who were specially invited to attend the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations.

Amar Aul was a brigade commander in 1999 who led the final assault to re-capture the Drass heights those had been captured by the intruders.

The GOC-n-C is scheduled to address a media interaction and a Sainik Sammelan later in the day.

On Saturday, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh paid tributes at Drass War memorial.

He said nobody will be allowed to repeat the misadventure of 1999 on India's borders in the future.