Speaking on the occasion, Ibobi called upon all the citizens to pledge and fight all the challenges and threats to the integrity and sovereignty of the country collectively.
He reminded that seven Manipuri natives were among the Indian soldiers who achie-ved martyrdom during the Kargil War.
Their martyrdom testified the contribution of Manipuri people towards safeguarding the integrity of India.
“We are proud of our brave soldiers and we should never forget their sacrifices”, Ibobi asserted.
Revenue and Forest Minister Irengbam Hemochandra who presided the function said that Indian soldiers thwarted every attempt of external forces to malign the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
A large number of Pakistani soldiers infiltrated into Kashmir in 1999. But they were successfully driven back by the Indian solders and the war thus fought is today known as the Kargil War.
Along with many other Indian soldiers, Lance Naik Kaleshore, Sepoy Charles Nicholas Moyon, Sepoy Beningvir Moyon, lance Naik Birneithang, Sepoy Zomkho-lal Vaiphei, Sepoy Kapani Asuli and Sepoy Daikho Mao who belonged to Manipur achieved martyrdom in the war, Hemochandra said.
Many Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, Army officers, top ranking civil and police officers were also present at the Kargil Vijay Divas observation.
