Rajnath Singh Launches Mega Bike Expedition Ahead of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026
Rajnath Singh launches bike expedition honouring Kargil heroes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday flagged off the 13-day ‘Shaurya Vijay Yatra’, a commemorative motorcycle expedition from the National War Memorial in Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh. The expedition is being organised as part of the nationwide observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026 to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said the victory in the Kargil War represents India’s determination to protect its land, identity and national honour against any threat. He recalled the difficult conditions faced by Indian troops during Operation Vijay, where soldiers fought at nearly 20,000 feet in extreme cold with temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
The motorcycle expedition includes 28 riders comprising serving and retired defence personnel along with their family members. Over the course of the journey, the riders will cover nearly 1,900 kilometres through challenging Himalayan terrain to pay tribute to the courage, determination and sacrifice of the soldiers who secured victory during the 1999 conflict. The expedition carries the theme “One Ride, One Nation, One Salute”.
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During the journey, participants will visit and pay respects at several important military memorials, including the Chandimandir War Memorial, Rezang La War Memorial and Leh War Memorial. The riders will also meet and honour Veer Naris, the wives and families of fallen soldiers, recognising their strength and contribution.
The expedition members will carry an urn containing sacred soil from the National War Memorial, which will be offered at the Kargil War Memorial in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. Singh said the merging of soil from the two memorial sites would represent the connection between the respect of present generations and the courage of India’s heroes.
The Shaurya Vijay Yatra will conclude at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras on July 26, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas. Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and other senior officials attended the flag-off ceremony. The expedition aims to preserve the legacy of Operation Vijay and inspire future generations with the values of duty, honour and selfless service.
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