Agencies | Dras:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the threat of infiltration and proxy warfare remains as persistent as it was during the 1999 Kargil conflict, while expressing confidence that the Indian Army is fully prepared to meet every challenge along the country’s borders.
Addressing Army personnel during a Shaurya Bhoj organised in Dras as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, Singh said the government has placed the modernisation of the armed forces at the forefront of its defence priorities, ensuring they are equipped with advanced technology, cutting-edge weaponry and world-class training.
“The challenges before us have not diminished. The intent of infiltrators remains the same, and attempts through infiltration and proxy war continue. I have complete confidence that our Army is fully prepared to deal with every such challenge,” Singh said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
The Defence Minister arrived in Dras on Saturday evening to participate in the two-day Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, including the Shaurya Sandhya ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial, where the nation pays tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War.
Observed annually on July 26, Kargil Vijay Diwas marks the success of Operation Vijay, through which the Indian Army recaptured strategic heights in the Kargil sector that had been occupied by Pakistani forces.
Reiterating the government’s emphasis on Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector, Singh said India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing would further enhance the operational capabilities of the armed forces and strengthen their position among the world’s finest military forces.
Paying tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War, the Defence Minister said their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment continue to inspire generations of Indians.
“We live in freedom and dignity today because our soldiers stood firm in the harshest conditions of Kargil, guarding the nation’s frontiers despite freezing temperatures and low oxygen levels,” he said.
Recalling his interactions with Army formations over the years, Singh also praised the tradition of Bada Khana, where officers and soldiers share a common meal, describing it as a symbol of unity, mutual respect and teamwork.
“The ability of our soldiers to rise above every difference and work as one is their greatest strength. It is this spirit that enabled India to achieve victory in Kargil,” he said, adding that as long as the armed forces continue to uphold their patriotism and unwavering resolve, no external force would dare challenge India’s sovereignty.
