Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Ex Servicemen Association and Shasthavu Bhoothanatheshwara Trust jointly paid tribute to the martyrs of Kargil war by lighting the candles to mark the 17th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas at War memorial, Kadri on Tuesday evening.

Addressing the gathering Cpl Sharath Bhandary, ex serviceman, said that July 26 is the day on which Indian army rebuted the Pakistani soldiers platoon from the bunkers of Kargil.

“This is why we are calling it as Kargil Vijay Diwas. The Indian soldiers fought for their motherland in less than zero degree temperature. Thousands of soldiers were wounded where as many died in the battlefield. It is every ones duty to remember their sacrifice,” he said.

Home guards district commander Dr Mural Mohana Choontharu and Premalatha V Shetty from Shastavu Bhoothanatheshvara trust lit the lamp in the beginning followed by the ex servicemen, home guards and the gathered people also lighted the lamp to pay the tribute to the Kargil soldiers.