Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tribute to the heroes of the Kargil war at a program organised on the occasion of 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Adityanath said that the Kargil war was 'imposed' by Pakistan, to which India gave a 'befitting reply' to the enemy under Operation Vijay.

'The Kargil war was imposed by Pakistan. A befitting reply was given to the enemy under Operation Vijay. Kargil was a challenging place where the temperature remains minus 50 degrees even during the day. But the cowards of Pakistan could not stand before the might of the Indian Army. The then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf went to America, and America tried to put pressure, but Vajpayee ji said that whether it is America or any world power, India will not bow down,' Chief Minister said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister paid heartfelt tribute to the bravehearts who laid down their lives to protect the unity and integrity of the nation.

'The entire country pays its tribute to the valor of the great sons of India on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. On this occasion, I pay my tribute to all those bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of India. On behalf of the state, I offer my tribute to all the brave soldiers,' he said.

Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day etched in the nation's heart with pride and solemn remembrance. It marks the day in 1999 when India successfully concluded Operation Vijay, reclaiming the strategic heights from Pakistani intruders.

The Kargil War is a saga of strong political, military and diplomatic actions. This War will always be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, as well as the self-imposed national strategy of restraint in keeping the war limited to the Kargil-Siachen sectors and the swiftly executed tri-services military strategy. (ANI)