Rajnath Singh flags off Delhi-Kargil ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’ motorcycle rally
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) flagged off the 13-day ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a commemorative motorcycle expedition from the War Memorial
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) flagged off the 13-day ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a commemorative motorcycle expedition from the War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass. The 1999 Kargil conflict was not just a military victory, but a chapter of courage, fortitude, discipline, and unwavering patriotism, Mr. Singh said. The expedition, with the theme of ‘One Ride, One Nation, One Salute’, has been organised as part of the nationwide observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026. It will see 28 riders —including serving and retired armed forces personnel and their family members — cover nearly 1,900 km through Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh before reaching Drass on July 26, 2026.
The occasion was not merely about flagging off a motorcycle expedition but about “paying tribute to the indomitable spirit and supreme sacrifice of the soldiers who had laid down their lives defending the nation’s honour”, Mr. Singh said, addressing the participants. Recalling Operation Vijay, the Minister said Indian soldiers achieved the impossible by fighting in extreme conditions at altitudes of nearly 20,000 ft., where oxygen was scarce and temperatures plunged to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Despite the enemy occupying dominating heights, Indian troops reclaimed every peak and bunker with exceptional courage, he said. Describing the victory as one achieved at a tremendous cost, Mr. Singh said that “more than 500 soldiers made the supreme sacrifice” during the conflict.
He paid tribute to the Kargil heroes, including Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar. Their courage would continue to inspire generations of Indians, he said. The Defence Minister said the Kargil victory was not merely a historical event but a lasting reminder of India’s resolve to respond decisively to any threat against its sovereignty, identity and honour. During the ceremony, an urn containing soil from the War Memorial was handed over to the expedition members. It will be carried to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, and ceremonially offered in memory of the fallen soldiers. Calling the expedition a symbol of national unity, Mr. Singh said it brought together serving personnel, veterans and civilians from different parts of the country, reflecting India’s diversity under the Tricolour.
He expressed confidence that the yatra would inspire patriotism among the youth and ensure that the legacy of the Kargil martyrs remains alive for future generations. The expedition is scheduled to culminate at the Kargil War Memorial on July 26, commemorating the 27th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil War.
The BriefWire