Dhruva Kargil Ride comprising 75 bikes was flagged off on Thursday from Dhruva War Memorial under the aegis of Headquarter Northern Command comprising four segments, sponsored by JAWA Classics Motorcycle Company in the honour of 22nd Kargil Vijay Diwas and 75 years of independence to immortalize the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers.

The main segment of the ride comprises 25 Jawa Classic Legend riders launched from Udhampur led by Lieutenant General YK Joshi, GOC-in-C, Northern Command.

However, subsidiary rides were launched from Naushera, Srinagar, and Karakoram Pass making it to a total of 75 bikes marking the 75 years of India’s Independence.

The segments starting from Naushera with 15 bikes and Udhampur with 25 bikes will be joined by the Srinagar segment with 20 bikes at Srinagar on 22 Jul 2021. The segment covering the icy heights of Karakoram will traverse through Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Darbuk Leh and Kargil to converge with the main segment at Kargil War Memorial, Drass on 23 Jul 2021 where the entire ride is culminating to further participate in the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2021.

The Northern Command Army Commander who is himself a Kargil war veteran, during his address said: “In spite of challenges, the soldier will always stand steadfast in his vigil to protect the nation and will go beyond the duty to make the supreme sacrifice without batting an eyelid. Operation Vijay may have ended 22 yrs back but the battle here in Jammu and Kashmir still rages on

“There is no gratification in violence and the life of a terrorist from the day he picks up a weapon to the day he is neutralized is not more than two months,” he said. “I would exhort the parents to ensure that their children are not misguided and lured as cannon fodder by the deep state and nexus who sit in comfort and decadence to see your children act at their behest,” he said. He also added, “Operation Vijay is testimony to the fact that there has never been and there will never be a compromise on the territorial integrity of the nation and any such far-fetched idea will remain a pipe dream.

The Indian Armed Forces will defeat any nefarious design of the adversary with resolve, courage, and bravery unparalleled in history. In the last two years, we have made steady progress and the violence parameters have ebbed considerably indicating a paradigm shift in the common Kashmiri mindset which today is driven to seek peace and prosperity for future generations.

“Let me assure each one that Indian Army shall walk with you in a step towards a prosperous and better future. Be it Ladakh or J&K, our commitment to the local population is complete and comprehensive where we shall share their burden with equanimity and cheer,” said the Army Commander.