PM Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers in Nowshera, J&K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India needs to improve its military capabilities to keep up with the changing world and modes of war, and that modern border infrastructure has been built to help with connectivity and troop deployment. 

PM Modi made the statements while speaking to soldiers in the Nowshera area of Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir, on the occasion of Diwali.

Also Read | Diwali 2021: Here’s how Bollywood celebs extend festive wishes for their fans

The prime minister praised the brigade’s contribution to surgical strikes. On September 29, 2016, India launched a surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in response to a terrorist attack on an Army camp in Jammu & Kashmir’s Uri region. 

Many attempts were made to spread terrorism here after the surgical strike, according to PM Modi, but they were met with a befitting response. 

Also Read | Bill introduced to make Diwali a federal holiday in the US

He said that border connectivity has improved, citing examples like Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh and Jaisalmer to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to India report.

“Borders and coastal areas lacking normal connectivity now have roads and optical fibres, and this boosts deployment capabilities as well as facilities for soldiers,” the prime minister said.

PM Modi also stated that the country formerly had to rely heavily on imports in the defence sector, but that with his government’s efforts, indigenous capabilities have risen. 

He praised soldiers’ bravery and asserted that their capability and strength have ensured the country’s peace and security.

“I want to spend Diwali with family members, so I join you on this festival,” he said.

Since taking over as prime minister, Modi has made it a point to meet troops in a border region on Diwali, starting from a visit to Siachen in 2014.

Official sources released photos of him at a Nowshera Army base. 

General M M Naravane, the Army chief, conducted an aerial inspection of forward areas on Wednesday, including Rajouri, and was briefed on the current security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region. 

In the Poonch-Rajouri area, the Army is conducting a counter-terrorist operation in the forest belt. On Thursday, the operation entered its 26th day, making it the longest in recent history.

“Meanwhile, when Modi left his residence in the morning, there were minimal security arrangements in place and no traffic route was deployed to minimise any inconvenience,” official sources said.