15th anniversary of the Kargil War of 1999

The Narendra Modi Led NDA Government on Saturday July 26,2014 reiterated its commitment to build a war memorial at a prominent location in New Delhi as a tribute to hundreds of soldiers who have died for the country in wars and various operations.

The assurance from the government came on the day the country was commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Kargil War of 1999, when Pakistani intruders were pushed back during a fiercely fought offensive on the heights the Drass-Kargi-Batalik segment along the Line of Control.

After paying homage to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate along with the three service chiefs, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the government was working to ensure that the long-pending proposal to build a war memorial is not delayed further

With regard to the war memorial, we have discussed various sites. India needs a war museum and as soon as the details are finalised, we will have to get sanctions from all the departments of the government. It will take some time before it is completed. Whatever funds are required for the purpose, we will make them available," said Arun Jaitley.

The NDA government has already announced that setting up of a war memorial will be one of its priorities. The issue also figured in the Budget presented in Parliament earlier this month.

The proposal for building the memorial has been stuck for many years as there is no consensus on the location of such a monument.

The armed forces and the defence ministry want it to be built at a prominent location around India Gate but civic authorities have offered alternative sites

The memorial will have names of all the martyrs of the Kargil War along with those who died in other wars.

The government has declared July 26 as Vijay Diwas as the Kargil conflict officially came to an end on this day in 1999.

The government is expected to announce the war memorial site soon