Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 9: As part of this year’s Kargil conflict commemoration, the Indian Army will send representatives to the homes of each of the 545 armed forces personnel who lost their lives in the 1999 conflict.

This outreach programme, which begins this week, aims to personally felicitate the families of the fallen heroes at their residences. The families are spread across 25 states and two union territories, while some soldiers hailed from Nepal, owing to the significant Gorkha Regiment presence in the Indian Army. Army teams will also travel to Nepal to meet the families there.

Each team will carry:

• A letter of gratitude from the Indian Army
• A memento
• A list of central and state government benefits available to the family

The teams will also collect memorabilia of the deceased soldiers to preserve their legacy and display them at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.

The initiative will treat all personnel equally, regardless of gallantry awards received. In addition, the Army will identify any challenges faced by the families to offer support where possible.

The commemorative events will include operational displays and battle re-enactments in local communities, culminating in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial on July 26.