Rajnath Singh flags off ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’ to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas, honour 1999 war heroes
New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on July 14 flagged off the 13-day ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a commemorative motorcycle expedition from the National War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh, as part of the nationwide observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026.
The 1,900-km expedition, undertaken under the theme ‘One Ride, One Nation, One Salute’, will see 28 riders, including serving and retired defence personnel and their family members, traverse the challenging terrain of the northern Himalayas before culminating at the Kargil War Memorial on July 26, marking the anniversary of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.
Addressing the flag-off ceremony, Singh paid tribute to the soldiers who fought in Operation Vijay, describing their courage, discipline and patriotism as a benchmark studied and respected by militaries around the world.
Recalling the extreme conditions under which the conflict was fought, the Defence Minister said Indian soldiers achieved victory at altitudes of nearly 20,000 feet and in temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius. He said they recaptured every strategic peak, hill and bunker from enemy control, upholding the honour of the national flag and demonstrating India’s unwavering resolve to respond decisively to any threat against its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Singh also honoured the sacrifices of Kargil War heroes, including Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd) and Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Sanjay Kumar (Retd), describing them as enduring sources of inspiration for India’s youth and future generations.
During the expedition, the riders will pay homage at key military memorials, including the Chandimandir War Memorial, Rezang La War Memorial and Leh War Memorial. They will also interact with and felicitate Veer Naris in recognition of their courage and resilience.
A symbolic highlight of the yatra is the carrying of an urn containing sacred soil from the National War Memorial, which will be offered at the Kargil War Memorial in memory of the fallen soldiers. Singh said the merging of the soil from the National War Memorial with that of Kargil would represent the bond between the nation’s present generation and the valour of those who made the supreme sacrifice.
Emphasising the spirit of national unity, the Defence Minister said the expedition brings together serving personnel, veterans and civilians from diverse regions, languages and traditions, united by one Tricolour and a shared commitment to honour India’s military heroes.
With National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets attending the ceremony, Singh expressed confidence that the yatra would rekindle patriotic spirit, particularly among young people, and reinforce the message that safeguarding the nation’s freedom and honour depends not only on those defending the borders but also on preserving the country’s collective memory and values.
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and other senior defence officials attended the flag-off ceremony.
The Indian Army said the Shaurya Vijay Yatra reflects its commitment to preserving the legacy of Operation Vijay by retracing the journey of courage and sacrifice while inspiring future generations to uphold the values of duty, honour and selfless service.
