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In a significant commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Drass on Friday to honor the valor and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers who fought in the conflict.
The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes paying homage at the Kargil War Memorial and visiting the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.
Prime Minister Modi’s journey began with his arrival at Srinagar International Airport on Friday morning.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police R.R. Swain, and senior BJP officials, including J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina, welcomed him. The Prime Minister then flew to Drass from Srinagar in a Mi-17 helicopter.
In Drass, the Prime Minister will join the silver jubilee celebrations of India’s victory in the Kargil War.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, who arrived in Drass on Thursday, has been participating in various programs to honor the historic victory.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will address the troops at the Kargil War Memorial, paying tribute to the more than 500 soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the conflict.
Historical Significance Of Kargil War
The Kargil War, fought in 1999, was a critical military engagement where the Indian Army, supported by the Air Force, successfully pushed back Pakistani forces from the mountainous terrain of Kargil.
This three-month-long conflict is however remembered as one of the most challenging operations in India’s military history.
Inauguration Of Shinkun La Tunnel Project
Adding to the day’s significance, Prime Minister Modi will virtually initiate the first blast of the Shinkun La tunnel project.
Once completed, this 4.1-kilometer-long twin-tube tunnel, situated at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet, will be the highest in the world.
The tunnel, located on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road in Ladakh, is likely to provide year-round connectivity to Leh and significantly boost the movement of armed forces, as well as spur economic and social development in the region.
The Shinkun La tunnel will establish a crucial link between the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh and the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh.
It will complement the existing routes to Leh via the Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh and Manali-Atal Tunnel-Sarchu-Leh axes, enhancing connectivity and strategic mobility in this remote and rugged region.
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