On the account of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (July 26, 2026) asserted that India can respond to any misadventure by Pakistan in a manner “beyond their imagination”. He said there will be no talks with Pakistan other than on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), which is a “part of India illegally occupied” by it.

Addressing military personnel and veteran in Dras, Mr. Singh said ‘Operation Sindoor’ clearly demonstrated what the fate of those who attempt to threaten India with terrorism will be. Earlier, he laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, paying homage to the war heroes who laid their lives during the 1999 ‘Operation Vijay’. He was joined by Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth and senior military officers in Dras.

Mr. Singh, speaking at the memorial, also slammed Pakistan for making terrorism a “part of its state policy”.

Mr. Singh described India’s victory in the Kargil war in 1999 as “a diamond studded in the crown of Bharat Mata”.

The Defence Minister recalled the Operation Sindoor conducted in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces dealt a severe blow to the backers and supporters of terrorism, he said. “Operation Sindoor made it clear what the fate will be of those who attempt to threaten India with terrorism,” Mr. Singh said.

He asserted that India and its armed forces have the capacity to respond to any misadventure by Pakistan in a manner “beyond their imagination”. “Any evil step towards the sovereignty and integrity of India will meet with the same fate,” the Defence Minister said.

At a time when India is designing ships, Pakistan is busy engaging in terror design, he said. “While we are finding new ways of innovation, Pakistan is seeking new ways of infiltration,” he added.

Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates the culmination of Operation Vijay, the name given to India's military operation to reclaim the heights of Kargil after Pakistan’s infiltration, which culminated on this day in 1999.

With PTI inputs

Published - July 26, 2026 11:55 am IST