“A pilgrimage of a lifetime…”: Modi Archive unveils PM Modi’s experience visiting Kargil 25 years ago

New Delhi [India], July 26 (ANI): The diary entry, unveiled by Modi Archive, a platform that tracks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s life, his early days and his journey, shared several photos and clippings describing his experience visiting the battlefield and the lessons he learned speaking to the war heroes in Kargil 25 years ago.

“A pilgrimage of a lifetime” – Narendra Modi’s Lessons from the Kargil War Front 25 Years Ago. Today marks #25YearsofKargilVijay, a defining moment in India’s history.

Pakistani troops infiltrated deep into Indian territory, prompting India to launch Operation Vijay. The Indian Army fought fierce battles, reclaiming every inch of land and securing our nation’s integrity,” Modi Archive posted on X.

“One such battleground was Tiger Hill, a strategic vantage point that saw some of the war’s most intense fighting. On July 4, 1999, after a relentless and bloody battle, Indian forces hoisted the tricolour atop Tiger Hill. This victory paved the way for the eventual eviction of Pakistani intruders from Indian territory on July 26, 1999. As the Kargil War unfolded, another tale of the indomitable spirit of the soldiers and the leaders who supported them was being inscribed. One such leader was Narendra Modi,” it added.

The clip, shared by Modi Archive, highlighted the Prime Minister’s support for the soldiers during that time. PM Modi who was then responsible for overseeing work in Himachal Pradesh, boarded a Mi-17 helicopter loaded with essential supplies and landed in Srinagar.

“Charged with overseeing work in Himachal Pradesh, Narendra Modi, then BJP’s General Secretary, boarded a Mi-17 helicopter laden with essential supplies for the soldiers while the war was still raging. Braving continuous shelling by the Pakistani Army, Modi and his team landed in Srinagar. Narendra Modi had the chance to speak with the brave soldiers who had been fighting relentlessly. During the conversation, Modi thanked the soldiers for their bravery, but they insisted that the credit for the victory should go to then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This surprised Modi, as the courageous soldiers on the frontlines attributed the victory to the nation’s leader. A soldier explained. Despite many attempts to capture Tiger Hill and the loss of many soldiers’ lives, the Indian army remained unable to achieve success. But before a sense of demoralisation could take over them, one evening, while listening to the radio in their bunker, they heard that American President Bill Clinton had invited Atal Bihari Vajpayee to visit the US. Vajpayee declined the invitation, stating that his soldiers were on the battlefield and he had no time for a visit. This refusal inspired the soldiers immensely. Motivated by their Prime Minister’s commitment, they fought with renewed vigour that very night achieved victory and hoisted the flag,” it added.

Further, the X thread mentioned how PM Modi particularly questioned the silence of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Pakistan and how the opposition never hesitates to politicise issues pertaining to even national security.

“In an interview with Sadhana Magazine in 1999, he pointed out how pursuing political interests during such a critical time was unfortunate. He reminded everyone how Atal Ji, despite being in the opposition, fully supported Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war, showing true national unity,” the Modi Archive posted.

“Narendra Modi learned a crucial lesson from Kargil: the opposition won’t hesitate to politicise even national security. Then, as now, those questioning our armed forces put their petty politics over the national interest. Back then, the BJP was in power, and opposition parties like the Congress and the Left showed their true colours by calling for a special Rajya Sabha session during the middle of the Kargil War only to criticise the armed forces. Just as today Congress refuses to criticise any adversary nation, be it China or Pakistan, things were no different back then. Narendra Modi particularly questioned Sonia Gandhi’s silence on Pakistan. He pointed out how pursuing political interests during such a critical time was unfortunate. He reminded everyone how Atal Ji, despite being in the opposition, fully supported Indira Gandhi during the 1971 war, showing true national unity. In stark contrast, Sonia Gandhi’s silence during the Kargil conflict was concerning and raised doubts–a silence that continues even now, 25 years later,” it added.

Earlier on Friday, PM Modi paid tribute to bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the 1999 Kargil War. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.