New Delhi, Jul 19 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday will visit Drass to lay wreath at Kargil War Memorial on the occasion of 20th anniversary of Operation Vijay which was launched against the intrusion by militias as well as regular troops of Pakistan in Kargil sector in Jammu and Kashmir capturing some of the hills of the state.

The minister will also dedicate to the nation two bridges built by Border Roads Organisation at Ujh in Kathua district and Basantar in Samba district, the defence ministry said.

The Ujh bridge is One kilometre long and the Basantar bridge is 617.4 metres in length.

Brave soldiers of the Indian Army overcame seemingly insurmountable odds, hostile terrain, weather, and a determined enemy occupying dominating heights, to win the Kargil war with the help of Indian Air Force which gave air support to the Army.

On this momentous occasion, the proud nation is celebrating this victory in memory of its brave martyrs with events covering a myriad spectrum.

One of the major events is the relay of a Victory Flame from National War Memorial (NMW) in New Delhi to Kargil War Memorial at Drass.

Mr Singh handed over the Flame to ace army shooter Subedar Jitu Rai who represented India as the first torch bearer, at the NMW on July 14.

The Victory Flame is being carried by Indian Army’s outstanding sportsmen and war heroes.

It is being passed through nine major towns/cities of North India and will finally culminate at the Karambhoomi of the martyrs at the Kargil War Memorial located at Drass on July 26, where it will be received by the Army Chief.

All along the journey, Indian Army personnel are paying homage to the heroes who fought valiantly for the nation.

This Victory Flame and the journey of the eternal flame from the National War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial brings alive the theme of the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas - ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’.

“We ‘remember’ our martyrs by revisiting their sacrifices, we ‘rejoice’ by celebrating the victory in Kargil and we ‘renew’ our resolve to safeguard the honour of the Tricolour,” the ministry added.

UNI ASH SY 1950