Guwahati, June 29: The 18th Battalion The Garhwal Rifles celebrated 24th anniversary of ‘Dras Battle Honour Day’ on Thursday (June 29) in commemoration of gallant action and supreme sacrifice made by the battalion in ‘Operation Vijay’ during the Kargil War in 1999.
The event saw a wreath laying ceremony by Commanding Officer, Colonel Ksh John Singh and Subedar Major Matwar Singh.
Around 200 serving soldiers of the Unit attended the commemoration ceremony.
The events conducted by the battalion included a special Sainik Sammelan in honour of those officers and soldiers who laid down their lives in the battle.
According to official sources, one officer and 18 jawans had lost their lives in Operation Vijay.
“In May 1999, the battalion moved from South Lolab valley in Jammu and Kashmir to Dras Sector for Operation Vijay. The battalion was entrusted with the task of evicting the enemy from towering peaks of Point 4700 and Point 5140 in Dras Sector,” a press release stated.
“The soldiers of the battalion rose up to the occasion, surged towards the objective in dogged determination through rugged and difficult terrain under intense enemy firing displaying unparalleled courage and re-establishing the sanctity of the Line of Control”.
For this gallant action, the unit was awarded a unit citation by then Chief of Army Staff. Subsequently, battalion was bestowed with Battle Honour ‘Dras” and Theatre Honour ‘Kargil’ in recognition of its undaunted battle performances.
In addition, the battalion also received large number of awards and honours, including six Vir Chakras, eight Sena Medals, seven Mention-in-Dispatches and two Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards.
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