Today on July 26, India proudly celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas i.e. the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. However, every victory does not come for free. The war which was fought over 60 days, claimed many lives.

On the 19th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Mohammed Kaif, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Harsha Bhogle took to social media and paid tributes to the martyrs. Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Sacrifice, selflessness, honour, valour & courage. Every member of our defence forces is an embodiment of these qualities. Today, on #KargilVijayDiwas, we remember the fallen with deep gratitude & salute those who have served and still serve, putting nation before self. #JaiHind.”

Virender Sehwag wrote, “Shed a small tear of pride for our heroes who fought and who laid down their lives in all their glory for our tomorrow. They fought at heights over 18k feet, inhospitable rugged terrain ,steep mountains. The Nation rose above their own self. #KargilVijayDiwas ! Jai Hind.”

“शहादत का सेहरा बाँधे, मृत्यु से विवाह रचाता , जन्मभूमि की रक्षा खातिर,  अपनी भेंट चढ़ाता हूँ मैं तेरा बेटा बनकर आया  इस दुनिया मे मां ,लेकिन भारत मां का बेटा बनकर, इस दुनिया से जाता हूँ कारगिल विजय दिवस पर शहीदो को शत-शत नमन ।। #KargilVijayDiwas,” wrote Mohammed Kaif.

“Tell them for their tomorrow, We gave our today’ these are the golden words embedded on Kargil Memorial.  Their sacrifice and commitment towards the nation cannot be measured or put in words #Heroes #Inspiration #Salute #KargilVijayDiwas,” read Rohit Sharma’s tweet.

“Bow down to all the mothers who sacrificed her brave sons towards protecting our motherland. Their sacrifices cannot be repaid in this life. Forever indebted #KargilVijayDiwas,” wrote VVS Laxman.

“Respect to our armed forces. #KargilVijayDiwas. Was an extraordinary achievement. Respect,” wrote Harsha Bhogle.

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service chiefs -- Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa paid tributes to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2018 10:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).