New Delhi: Vijay Diwas, marking the eviction of Pakistani troops from Indian positions in Kargil sector in 1999, went without celebrations or memorial service for the second year running on July 26.

No official function was organised to remember the valiant feat of 500 jawans and officers who sacrificed themselves recapturing numerous posts in icy heights.

Army officials when asked said this year they had received no intimation of any function to mark the day.

Last year, even at the height of border mobilisation with Pakistan, Defence Minister George Fernandes and the three Service Chiefs had laid wreaths at the martyr's memorial. But this year the function at India Gate was also not held.

Official sources said the government took a conscious decision not to celebrate the victory in view of the thaw in Indo-Pak ties.

On the first anniversary in 2000, the government had organised week-long festivities at the India Gate lawns, exhibiting films and weaponry used to dislodge Pakistanis.

PTI