Free hand to armed forces to eliminate nation’s enemies: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

 NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that a free hand has been given to the armed forces to deal sternly with the enemies of the nation.

"No compromise will be made in protecting the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the country. We have given a free hand to the armed forces to eliminate the nation’s enemies," the Defence Minister said on the occasion of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’.

He said that India is a peace-loving nation that believes in its centuries-old values and is committed to international laws, but to safeguard India’s interests, ‘we will not hesitate in crossing the LoC.

He said that earlier, the nation and the armed forces lacked political will, which has now been provided by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We stand firm with our forces. The people and Parliament have full faith in our soldiers," the Defence Minister said.

To mark the Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Kargil War Memorial at Dras in Ladakh, laid a wreath, and paid homage to the valiant soldiers who displayed unparalleled bravery during ‘Operation Vijay’.

The ceremony at Dras also witnessed a gathering of war heroes, Veer Naris, and the families of the fallen heroes.

The Defence Minister commended the courage and commitment of the armed forces, which have, time and again, helped the country stand tall in times of crisis.

"India of today rests on the foundation of the sacrifices made by the soldiers," the Defence Minister said.

He described ‘Operation Vijay’ as an episode that displayed India’s grit and determination as it stood its ground in the face of adverse circumstances.

He termed the victory a launch pad that propelled the nation to achieve heights of success.

"Our greatness is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we fall. Despite the adversary's tactical military advantage during the war, our forces displayed unmatched bravery and skill to push them back and reclaim our land. With the victory, India sent a message to Pakistan and the world that our military will not back down at any cost if the nation’s interests are harmed," he said.

The Defence Minister recalled the heroic deeds of a number of bravehearts of the Kargil war, including Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardees Captain Vikram Batra and Captain Manoj Pandey and Vir Chakra (VrC) Awardees Lieutenant Colonel R Vishwanathan, Captain Jintu Gogoi, Captain Vijayant Thapar, and Naib Subedar Mangej Singh, who are a source of inspiration for future generations and will be remembered forever. (IANS)

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