Rajnath Singh drives to Drass for 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas amid bad weather
Synopsis
Bad weather forced Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to abandon his helicopter and drive to Drass for the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas — a logistical detour that still could not keep India's top defence official away from honouring the soldiers of the 1999 war. The ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial carries added weight this year as the nation marks a quarter-century-plus of that hard-won victory.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar on Saturday, 26 July 2025 to attend Kargil Vijay Diwas events.
Adverse weather grounded his scheduled helicopter; he travelled to Drass by road instead.
He was received at Srinagar International Airport by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials.
The two-day programme is being held at the Kargil War Memorial, Drass , honouring soldiers who died in the 1999 Kargil War .
This year marks the 26th anniversary of India's victory over Pakistani forces in Kargil.
Pakistani military involvement in 1999 was later confirmed by statements from Nawaz Sharif and Pervez Musharraf , contradicting initial denials.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at Srinagar International Airport on Saturday, 26 July 2025, and proceeded to Drass by road to attend the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations after adverse weather grounded his scheduled helicopter sortie. He was received at the airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha alongside senior civil and security officials.
Why the Road Journey
Singh had originally been scheduled to fly by helicopter from Srinagar to Drass. However, inclement weather and poor flying conditions made the sortie inoperable, prompting the defence minister to undertake the road journey to the event venue. The overland route through the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh is a significant logistical undertaking, underscoring the importance the government places on the annual commemoration.
Ceremonies at the Kargil War Memorial
The two-day programme got under way at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, where the nation pays homage to soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War. The event brings together senior military commanders, veterans, families of martyrs, civil dignitaries, and government representatives each year to honour the courage and valour of the armed forces.
Significance of the Day
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed on 26 July every year, marks India's decisive victory over Pakistani forces who had occupied strategic mountain peaks in the northern Kargil district of Ladakh in the winter of 1999. This year's edition is particularly significant as it marks the 26th anniversary of that victory.
Initially, the Pakistani military denied any institutional involvement, attributing the intrusions to Kashmiri militants. That position was later contradicted by documents recovered from casualties, testimonies of prisoners of war, and public statements by then Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and then Army Chief Pervez Musharraf, which pointed to the role of Pakistani paramilitary forces led by General Ashraf Rashid.
What Comes Next
The second day of the commemorative programme is expected to feature wreath-laying ceremonies and tributes to the fallen. The Kargil War Memorial at Drass remains one of the most visited military heritage sites in India, drawing veterans, families of martyrs, and citizens from across the country each July.
Point of View
But the optics matter: a sitting defence minister navigating high-altitude terrain to reach a war memorial sends a deliberate signal to veterans and serving personnel. What deserves sharper scrutiny is whether these annual ceremonies translate into sustained policy support for Kargil veterans and martyrs' families — or remain a well-photographed ritual. The 1999 war's lessons on mountain warfare and intelligence gaps remain relevant as India manages its northern borders, yet the commemorations rarely surface those harder conversations.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajnath Singh travel to Drass by road instead of helicopter?
Adverse weather conditions and poor flying visibility made the helicopter sortie inoperable, so Defence Minister Rajnath Singh undertook the road journey from Srinagar to Drass to attend the Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremonies.
What is Kargil Vijay Diwas and when is it celebrated?
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26 July every year to mark India's victory over Pakistani forces in the 1999 Kargil War, when the Indian Army evicted intruders from strategic mountain peaks in the Kargil district of Ladakh. This year marks the 26th anniversary of that victory.
Where are the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 events being held?
The two-day commemorative programme is being held at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh. The venue hosts senior military commanders, veterans, families of martyrs, and civil dignitaries each year.
Who received Rajnath Singh at Srinagar airport?
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha received Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Srinagar International Airport, along with senior civil and security officials.
Did Pakistan officially acknowledge its role in the 1999 Kargil War?
Initially, the Pakistani military denied institutional involvement, attributing the conflict to Kashmiri militants. However, documents from casualties, prisoner-of-war testimonies, and later statements by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then Army Chief Pervez Musharraf confirmed the role of Pakistani paramilitary forces led by General Ashraf Rashid.
