Kargil war stories: Veterans share their experiences

In a heartfelt tribute to the valiant soldiers of the Kargil War, Shimla district marked the 26th anniversary of the conflict with a solemn ceremony that honoured the sacrifices of war heroes and announced initiatives to inspire the younger generation.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap announced that under the School Adoption Programme, district officers who have adopted schools will now facilitate visits by Kargil War veterans. These ex-servicemen will share their frontline experiences with students to instill a spirit of nationalism and civic duty from an early age.

Speaking at the district-level ceremony held in Shimla, Kashyap said, “Nearly 20 per cent of the soldiers martyred in the Kargil War were from Himachal Pradesh. That is why Himachal is known as the ‘Land of the Brave’.”

He emphasised that soldiers’ courage stems from rigorous training and unwavering self-discipline, qualities that every citizen can draw inspiration from to face life’s challenges. The DC also administered a pledge to the attendees to honour the sacred memory of the Kargil martyrs and remain committed to preserving India’s proud military legacy.

In a move to further engage ex-servicemen in youth welfare, Kashyap added that veterans will now be included in NCORD (National Committee on Drug Control) meetings.

As part of the ceremony, seven ex-servicemen from Shimla district were honoured for their service. Among them was Subedar Major Diwakar Dutt Sharma (retd), of the 19 JAK Rifles, who shared gripping accounts from the battlefield. “I was on leave when the war began and the moment I received a recall letter, I left immediately. Temperatures were as low as minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. We had to climb steep hills gradually and launch a surprise attack from behind. The enemy had no idea. Our sole thought was: Nation First. Many of us laid down our lives, but we achieved victory,” he recounted.

His cousin, Subedar Major Ram Lal Sharma (retd), who served in the same unit, said the morale of the unit was deeply affected when comrades were martyred. “But we channelled our grief into strength and struck back with fierce resolve,” he said.

Naik Praveen, another veteran, recalled receiving sudden orders to move to the Dras sector on the evening of May 4, 1999. “We carried only rifles. After an overnight journey, we found the village evacuated and soon came under heavy Pakistani shelling. We couldn’t bathe or shave for three months and sometimes had to eat snow to quench our thirst,” he said. “Two of our soldiers were martyred and we had to lower their bodies using ropes.”

These personal narratives brought the audience to a standstill, serving as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers.