Indian Army Begins Tribute Ride From Srinagar to LoC on 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas
On the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps organised a commemorative ride from Srinagar to the Line of Control. The event, titled Expedition LOC–Tribute Ride Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025, had more than 50 riders from all over India.
Serving personnel, ex-servicemen, civilians, and martyrs' kin joined the rally to pay respects to the 527 personnel who sacrificed their lives and the 1,300+ injured during the 1999 Kargil war. The rally is to pay respect to their service and foster national integration through interaction with the forward areas' communities of North Kashmir.
The rally was inaugurated by Brigadier Deepak Sajjanhar, a war veteran of Kargil and one of the participants in Operation Vijay at Dras. He commanded one of the two principal attacks during the war. Addressing the event, Brigadier Sajjanhar stressed the need to bind people across the country with the realities on the ground in Kashmir.
These are a group of serving, retired and civilian individuals. It's a good way to penetrate the interiors of Kashmir, into the Keran and Machil sectors, and send out a message of unity and solidarity," he said. "It's the only way we can recall the sacrifices made."
This year's rally has a large civilian turnout. Most of the participants are relatives of soldiers who were in Kargil. Dr Ariyan Sharma, a daughter of a martyred 15 JAKLI soldier, participated in the rally accompanied by her father's friend, Col Bhupinder Singh Shahi.
My father served the majority of his life here in Kashmir. Participating in this expedition is like living it all again, what he went through. This is a tribute to all who served in the war," she said.
Col Shahi, who is now a civilian, appreciated the peaceful atmosphere and urged more Indians to come to Kashmir. "We'd go to Kargil for Vijay Diwas. But this time we took a different route. Operation Sindoor recently demonstrated what our Army is capable of. It's peaceful here, and I want every Indian to come and see it for themselves."
The bikers began their ride from Srinagar and headed towards Sopore in North Kashmir. They will engage with the local populace to gain insight into the strategic importance of the area during the Kargil conflict. The bikers will pass through Chokibal and Sadhna Pass in Kupwara, both pivotal areas in the war.
Subsequently, the rally will traverse Pharkian Pass, Keran, and Kalaroos, before ultimately reaching Machil. There, they will pay obeisance at forward Army posts before ending the rally in Srinagar on July 27.
This initiative is an eloquent reminder of India's war sacrifices, while also underlining the affinity between the Army and its people — one that only increases in strength with each passing year.
