Kohima, July 26: The 17th Kargil Day or Vijay Diwas was celebrated today at the Martyr Memorial at Pheza Village, 18km from Kohima along with other states in the Northeast.
Several people paid tributes to Capt. Neikezhakuo Kenguruse who was killed while destroying enemy bunkers and killing four enemy soldiers on June 28, 1999, in Drass sub-sector.
On the occasion, the father of the martyr, Neiselie Kenguruse, and the inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North) Maj. Gen. M.S. Jaswal, placed a wreath at the memorial.
The rank and file of the paramilitary force, family members of Kenguruse, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation chairman Neiphrezo Keditsu, Kohima deputy commissioner Rovilato Mor, Nagaland police personnel from Zhadima, elders of Nerhema and neighbouring villages and schoolchildren turned up for the programme.
A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs and brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Maj. Gen. Jaswal, while remembering sacrifices of Kenguruse during the war against Pakistan, said his heroic sacrifices where he fought till the very last breath would inspire Nagas and the entire nation. "His story should be an encouragement for the young generation to follow in his footsteps."
Kenguruse of Nerhema village was born on July 15, 1974. He was commissioned into the army on December 12 1998. He was later awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
In Meghalaya, the army today paid homage to Kargil martyr and Capt. Keishing Clifford Nongrum, hailing from the state, who died in 1999 in an operation to recapture an important point in Batalik sector.
GOC 101 Area Lt Gen. S.P. Nawathe and senior army officials laid wreaths at the bust of Nongrum at the Rhino Heritage Museum during the ceremony.
Nongrum's parents, Keishing Peter and Saily, besides his other family members were also present on the occasion.
Nongrum is the first and the only person in Meghalaya to have been awarded the second highest gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra for bravery posthumously.
Born in March 1975, Capt. Nongrum did his schooling in the capital and excelled in extracurricular activities and had an innate interest in music. He graduated from the Officer Training Academy in 1996 prior to his being commissioned at the 12th Battalion Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.
Five soldiers from Manipur, who laid down their lives during the war, were remembered on the occasion.
GOC 57th Mountain Division S.S. Mishra said, "The supreme sacrifice of the gallant soldiers will be forever remembered."
The five Manipuri soldiers were Sepoy K. Ashuli Mao of the Naga Regiment, who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra. The other four soldiers were Sepoy Chara Nicholas, Naik Kaleshwor, Ng Beningvir Moyon and Sepoy LNk S. Germinthang.
The Kargil war took place between India and Pakistan during May-July 1999.
The conflict was triggered after Pakistani soldiers managed to occupy key positions on the Indian side of the line of control in the Kargil sector.
The war officially came to an end on July 26, 1999.
DGP L.M. Khaute who was present on the occasion said quelling internal conflict and safeguarding the borders would not have been possible without the presence of the army in the state.