GUWAHATI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Assam's Guwahati to attend the award ceremony organized to honour soldiers who took part in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War on Saturday 23 March.
The Union Minister while honouring the supreme sacrifice of the freedom fighters who fought from outside forces said that apart from fighting terrorism inside the country, the Indian forces have the courage to go beyond the border to stop such activities.
According to the Raksha Mantri India has the strength and capability to fight the militancy inside its own territory and is also capable of ending the foreign-sponsored militancy by crossing the border.
He added that the Indian forces will never let the pride of India go down and are brave enough to safeguard the country's integrity at any cost.
In his speech at the award ceremony, Singh highlighted points about various initiatives for strengthening the international border of the northeastern region.
He informed that the defence ministry has been working to give high priority in this sector of strengthening international border security along with the Arunachal Pradesh and China border.
Singh further said that the ministry has plans in place for its initiative of strengthening the international border of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
One such strategic project includes the 'Sella tunnel' in Arunachal Pradesh which is undergoing at present informed the minister on Saturday.
Being the chief guest of the event, Singh also thanked the people of the northeast for their extreme contribution to the defence sector of India.
He stated more than 40,000 veterans are from the region which shows how people from NE have worked for the safety and security of the entire nation. Singh added 'today I came to know about 40,000 veterans are from the northeast, I salute them all.'
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while attending the award ceremony informed that 50 lakh will be given to the families of the soldiers who sacrificed for the nation. One member of the family will also get a government job informed the CM.
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