Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to the Indian armed forces for their valour in the Kargil war on his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat.' Referring to how Pakistan backstabbed India, he said: "Twenty-one years ago on this day, our Army won the Kargil war. Back then, India was trying to have cordial relations with Pakistan… but that did not happen," he said.

"Pakistan had the audacity of trying to occupy Indian soil and deviate attention from its own internal unrest," Modi added.

India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 to remember and celebrate the Indian armed forces' victory over Pakistan troops who had occupied Indian territories in 1999 in Kargil. In the three-month long war, India lost over 500 soldiers in its attempt to push back the Pakistani Army from their well-entrenched positions in Kargil.

The Prime Minister also talked about the hash tag #courageinkargil trending on the social media. "People are bowing down to their heroes, paying tribute to the martyrs. I urge you to tell each other the stories about the sacrifices of the brave mothers, share the stories of our jawans associated with the Kargil victory today," Modi added.

Modi tweeted: "We saw in Kargil that while India always stands for harmony, we had also given a befitting reply to those who vitiated the spirit of peace."

<em>With agency inputs.</em>.