Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Kargil on Friday where he will pay homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

The prime minister will visit the Kargil War Memorial at around 9:20 am and pay homage to the fallen soldiers on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26.

PM Modi will also carry out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project virtually. The Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1-km-long twin-tube tunnel which will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh, the government statement said.

“Tomorrow, 26th July, is a very special day for every Indian. We will mark the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. It is a day to pay homage to all those who protect our nation. I will visit the Kargil War Memorial and pay tributes to our brave heroes. Work will also commence for the Shinkun La Tunnel Project. This project is important to improve connectivity to Leh, especially during bad weather,” Narendra Modi said in a post on X. 

Tomorrow, 26th July, is a very special day for every Indian. We will mark the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. It is a day to pay homage to all those who protect our nation. I will visit the Kargil War Memorial and pay tributes to our brave heroes. Work will also commence for the Shinkun…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2024

The tunnel, once completed, will be the highest tunnel in the world. It will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of the armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh. 

The tunnel will serve as a vital link, connecting the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. Currently, there are two existing axes to Leh, the Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh and the Manali-Atal Tunnel-Sarchu-Leh.