New Delhi, July 27: Addressing the Kargil Diwas event at Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that he was present in Kargil in 1999, when the war with Pakistan was at its peak. The PM claimed that he first-handedly witnessed how the Indian Army turned the tables against the enemy forces.

"I had gone to Kargil 20 years ago when war was at its peak, the enemy was playing its games sitting on high peaks. Death was staring in the face yet our jawans carrying the tricolor wanted to reach the valley before anyone," he said. Over 100 BSF Jawans Donate Blood to Mark Kargil Victory

Modi further paid his tributes to the martyrs, saying that they laid a supreme sacrifice of their lives to protect the territorial integrity of the nation.

"On this occasion, I pay tribute to all those bravehearts who foiled the conspiracy to take down the tricolour from the peaks of Kargil by sacrificing their blood. I also pay respect to those brave mothers who gave birth to these bravehearts," he said.

"In Kargil victory was the victory of bravery of our sons and daughters. It was victory of India's strength and patience. It was victory of India's sanctity and discipline. It was victory of every Indian's expectations," the Prime Minister added.

Modi also credited the people of Jammu & Kashmir, including those residing in the frontier regions, of strongly backing the Indian government and Army during the conflict in Kargil. "I thank the people of Jammu & Kashmir for supporting the nation during the war," he said.

The Prime Minister also targeted Pakistan, recalling how the nation hatched a conspiracy in Kargil despite being extended an olive branch by the then Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Our neighbour thought we will not strike back in Kargil. They were under the assumption that he would protest, complaint to the international community, while allowing them to redraw the border. But, India struck back and defeated them," Modi said.

Notably, the Kargil war was triggered between India and Pakistan in May-June 1999 after the Pakistani army was found to having intruded into Indian territory across the LoC and occupying various strategic peaks, including Tololing Heights, Tiger Hill and Point 4875 (Batra Top), overlooking the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and targeting traffic on it.

The Indian Army launched "Operation Vijay" in May 1999 and regained the territory after evicting intruders after a fierce battle, one among the toughest in the military history of high-altitude warfare in mountainous terrain.

July 26 is observed as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to commemorate the victory in this conflict, but its 20th anniversary celebration was spread over three days from July 25 to July 27.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2019 08:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).