2019 1-15 August Vol 66 No 15 ` 5 SAINIK Samachar Remember - Rejoice - Renew Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrations Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh signing MoU with Defence Minister of Mozambique, Mr Atanasio Salvador M’tumuke in capital Maputo on July 29, 2019. pic: DPR Photo Division The Union Minister for Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh being briefed on the working of Dashboard of Department Defence Production (www.ddpdashboard.gov.in) by the Secretary (Defence Production), Dr Ajay Kumar, in New Delhi on July 25, 2019 In This Issue Since 1909 PresidentBIRTH Pays ANNIVERSARY Homage CELEBRATIONS to Martyrs of 4 Kargil War (Initially published as FAUJI AKHBAR) Vol. 66 q No 15 10 - 24 Shravana 1941 (Saka) 1-15 August 2019 The journal of India’s Armed Forces published every fortnight in thirteen languages including Hindi & English on behalf of Ministry of Defence. It is not necessarily an organ for the expression of the Government’s defence policy. The published items represent the views of respective writers and correspondents. Editor-in-Chief Ruby Thinda Sharma PM addresses Kargil Raksha Mantri pays Senior Editor Manoj Tuli Vijay Diwas… 6 homage to Martyrs… 8 Sub Editor Sub Maj KC Sahu Sub Maj Baiju G Coordination Kunal Kumar Business Manager Dhirendra Kumar Our Correspondents DELHI: Lt Col M Vaishnava (Offg.); Capt DK Sharma VSM; Gp Capt Anupam Banerjee; Divyanshu Kumar; BENGALURU: Guru Prasad HL; CHANDIGARH: Anil Gaur; CHENNAI: M Ponnein Selvan; GANDHINAGAR: Wg Cdr Puneet Chadha; GUWAHATI: Lt Col P Khongsai; IMPHAL: Lt Col M Vaishnava; JALANDHAR : Gagandeep Kaur; JAMMU: Lt Col Devender Anand; JAIPUR: Lt Col Sombit Ghosh; KOCHI: Cdr Sridhar E Warrier; KOHIMA: Col Chiranjeet Konwer; KOLKATA: Dipannita Dhar; LUCKNOW: Gp Capt BB Pande (Offg.); MUMBAI: Cdr Mehul Karnik, Narendra Kumar Vispute; NAGPUR: Gp Capt BB Pande; PALAM: 12 Ujh and Basantar Bridges… Three Service Chiefs Wg Cdr AR Giri; PRAYAGRAJ: Gp Capt BB Pande (Offg.); PUNE: Mahesh 14 Raksha Mantri assures Regular… 10 Iyengar; SECUNDERABAD: G Surendra Babu; SHILLONG; Wg Cdr Ratnakar Honour Martyrs… Singh; SRINAGAR: Col Rajesh Kalia; TEZPUR: Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande; 15 RM Reviews Operationalisation… THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ms Dhanya Sanal K; UDHAMPUR: Lt Col Abhinav 18 Glimpses of Kargil War Navneet; VISAKHAPATNAM: Capt CG Raju. 20 Lest We Forget Published by: 22 Vajra Veer Vatika Showcases… A Bharat Bhushan Babu, ADG (M&C) 23 Indian Navy Commissions… Nampibou Marinmai, Director (PR) 24 A Commemorative Trek to… Directorate of Public Relations, South Block, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011 25 Warships Welcome Visitors and… Editorial Office: 26 Chakravyuh L-1 Block, Church Road, New Delhi-110001, Telefax : 23094668 Telephone : 23092768 27 Armed Forces Panorama Email : [email protected] E-in-C: ASCON-32078 For subscriptions contact : Business Manager, Sainik Samachar, Telephone : 23092768 Exercise Garuda-VI 16 Subscription Rates: Inland (Ordinary): One Year Rs 100.00, Overseas (Surface Mail): Rs 450.00 Concessional (per year): Rs 20.00 (Applicable for dependants of service personnel & ex-Servicemen.) For all correspondence subscribers must quote their subscription number On front cover: Soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles celebrating the recapture of Pt 4875. pic: DPR Photo Division For more details visit our website: http://sainiksamachar.nic.in Follow us on: www.facebook.com/DefenceMinIndia https://twitter.com/spokespersonMoD https://www.instagram.com/prodefense/ KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS President Pays Homage to Martyrs of Kargil War argil Vijay Diwas is celebrated Kevery year to commemorate India’s spectacular victory over Pakistan on this day in 1999. Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’ in May 1999 to evict the Pakistani Army intruders from Kargil heights. Intruders from Northern Light Infantry (Part of Pakistani Regular Army) had treacherously occupied these heights in an attempt to endanger the vital Srinagar-Leh National Highway. After over 60 days of war, the Indian Army with Chinar Corps at the forefront of the battle triumphed over Pakistan Army and chased them out completely from the heights of Dras, Mushkoh, Kaksar and Batalik. The Nation is commemorating this historic battle, in remembering Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar as 20 years of this glorious victory in a the martyrs, gallant serving soldiers he could not reach Drass due to big way with a series of programmes and veterans on this occasion. The inclement weather. The occasion was being conducted throughout the President of India, Shri Ram Nath also attended by Shri Satya Pal Malik country. On July 26, 2019, the Kovind paid homage to the Kargil Governor J&K, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps joined a proud War Heroes in a solemn ceremony GOC Chinar Corps, representatives Nation on the 20th Anniversary of held at the War Memorial in Badami from other security agencies, civil 4 Sainik Samachar August 1-15, 2019 administration and all ranks of Chinar Corps. The President quoted in the Visitors Book, “On the 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I on behalf of a grateful Nation pay homage to the martyrs of the Kargil War. We remember ‘the gallant acts’ of our brave soldiers, rejoice in their victory and renew our pledge to rededicate ourselves in the service of our great Nation.” The celebrations included brief narration of the Kargil War highlighting the saga of courage and valour of the martyrs, prayers by religious teachers and laying of wreath in proud remembrance of the valiant heroes who participated in the operations. - PRO Srinagar August 1-15, 2019 Sainik Samachar 5 KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS PM Addresses Kargil Vijay Diwas Commemorative function he Prime Minister, Shri Narendra TModi on July 27, 2019 addressed a commemorative event to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas, at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. In his address, the Prime Minister said that every Indian is remembering today, an inspirational saga of valour and dedication to the nation. He paid homage to the Martyrs, who laid down their lives, defending the heights of Kargil. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi being received by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh He also appreciated the people of at the commemoration function of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 27, 2019. Also present on the Jammu and Kashmir who fulfilled occasion were MoS (Defence) Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and Chief of the Army Staff General their duty towards the nation. He said Bipin Rawat. the victory achieved in the mountains deeds of these soldiers are a matter our duty towards our Motherland, of Kargil, 20 years ago, will continue of pride for each and every Indian. if we cannot care for our soldiers to inspire us for generations. The Prime Minister said that he throughout their lives. He expressed The Prime Minister described had visited Kargil just a few months satisfaction that in the last five years, the Kargil victory, as a victory of after assuming office in 2014. He the Union Government has taken a the bravery of India's son's and also recalled that he had visited number of decisions for the welfare daughters, of India's resolve, and of Kargil 20 years ago, at the height of of soldiers, and their families. In this India's capability and fortitude. He the Kargil war. Recalling the valour context, he mentioned One Rank, further described it as a victory of of the jawans in Kargil, he said that One Pension; enhanced scholarship India's dignity and discipline; and a the entire country stood together with for wards of martyrs; and the victory of the hopes and devotion to the soldiers. Youth were donating National War Memorial. duty of each Indian. blood, and even children were The Prime Minister said Pakistan The Prime Minister asserted that donating their pocket money for the has repeatedly resorted to deceit wars are not fought by Governments soldiers. in Kashmir, and we did not allow alone, but by the entire nation. He He recalled that the then Prime them to succeed in 1999 either. He said soldiers sacrifice their all, for Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, recalled the resolve of Prime Minister future generations. He said the had said that we would be failing in Vajpayee for an effective response to The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi lighting the lamp at the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorative function in New Delhi on The Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi meeting General (Retd) VP July 27, 2019. Present on the occasion were MoS (Defence) Shri Malik, who was the COAS during the Kargil War and Mrs Malik Shripad Yesso Naik and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat. during the function. 6 Sainik Samachar August 1-15, 2019 national security, India will not bow to pressure, or be found wanting in any manner. In this context, he mentioned the establishment of India's nuclear triad through Arihant, and the testing of A-SAT the anti-satellite test. He said the Armed Forces are being rapidly modernized, and efforts are being made to increase the participation of the private sector for 'Make in India' in the defence sector. He stressed on the importance of "jointness" among Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra with the three Service Chiefs during the Kargil Vijay the three wings of the Armed Forces. Diwas commemorative function. He said infrastructure is being Pakistan, which the enemy had no number. He also mentioned the strengthened in the border areas. He answer to. He added that the earlier dedication and service of the Armed spoke of steps being taken for the peace initiative of the Vajpayee Forces in natural calamities. development of border areas, and government had created a better The Prime Minister said that the welfare of people living there. understanding of India's position, terrorism and proxy war pose a In conclusion, the Prime Minister across the world.