In pictures: Nation pays tribute to soldiers, celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas

Operation Vijay was launched by the armed forces to recapture Indian territories occupied by Pakistani intruders in the Kargil-Drass sector in 1999

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The Kargil war was declared over on July 26, 1999, after Indian soldiers pushed back Pakistani troops, a bulk of them drawn from the neighbouring country's Northern Light Infantry, from the captured peaks in Kargil.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik and defence chiefs laid a wreath and paid homage to the martyred soldiers at the National War Memorial.

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This day commemorates the success of Operation Vijay which was launched by the armed forces to recapture Indian territories occupied by Pakistani intruders in the Kargil-Drass sector in 1999.

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In this frame, family members of martyrs are showing portraits installed in the hall of fame on the occasion of Kargil Diwas at Punjab State War Memorial in Jalandhar.

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Bihar Regiment Jawans paying tribute to the martyrs of Kargil war on the occasion of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, in Patna.

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MLA M Swaraj pays tribute to the martyrs of Kargil war on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, at Lt.Colonel R Viswanathan's War Memorial Thrippoonithura in Kochi.

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Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa laying a wreath to the heroes at National Military Memorial Park on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in Bengaluru.

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Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, General Officer Commanding Fire & Fury Corps lays a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in Dras.

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NCC cadets paying tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in Patna.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signs visitors book after paying tribute to the martyrs of Kargil war at National War Memorial on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in New Delhi.