AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, 3 July 2026, paid tribute to Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who made the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil War, marking the soldier's martyrdom anniversary with a post on X.

Kejriwal wrote, 'Kargil yuddh ke amar shaheed, Param Vir Chakra se sammanit Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey ji ke balidan diwas par unhe koti-koti naman' — offering 'crores of salutations to the immortal martyr of the Kargil War, Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, on his martyrdom anniversary.' He added that Pandey's 'indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice will continue to inspire every citizen of the country forever.'

Context

Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey served with the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army. He was killed in action during the Kargil War of 1999 while leading his men in a fierce assault to capture enemy positions in the Jubar Top sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, for his exceptional gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Policy Backdrop

The Param Vir Chakra was instituted in 1950 and is awarded for the most conspicuous acts of bravery in the presence of the enemy. Captain Pandey remains one of its most celebrated recipients from the 1999 Kargil conflict, which was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the high-altitude terrain of Kargil district.

India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas every year on 26 July to mark the official end of operations and to honour soldiers who gave their lives during the conflict. Martyrdom anniversaries of decorated soldiers like Captain Pandey are observed separately and draw tributes from across the political spectrum.

Stakeholders and Impact

Tributes on such anniversaries carry significance for the armed forces community, veterans, and the families of fallen soldiers, reaffirming civilian recognition of military sacrifice. Political leaders across parties routinely issue such statements, which form part of a broader pattern of civil-military signalling that emphasises national unity.

For AAP, which governs in Punjab — a state with a large ex-servicemen population — such tributes also carry a political dimension, reinforcing the party's engagement with defence communities.

What's Next

Official national observances are expected around Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July 2026, including ceremonies at war memorials and possible parliamentary references to the soldiers of the 1999 conflict. Captain Pandey's martyrdom anniversary on 3 July is likely to see further tributes from government institutions and political leaders in the days ahead.