SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the 2016 surgical strikes on terror hideouts across the LoC demonstrated the capabilities of the Army and he himself supervised the operation till the last soldier returned.
“I was constantly on the phone during the surgical strike. I wanted to make sure that every soldier returned safely. All the soldiers who carried out the surgical strike safely returned to their units and made me feel proud,” said Modi, who celebrated Diwali with jawans at Nowshera, Rajouri, Jammu, as a morale-boosting gesture.
He said that after the surgical strike, several attempts have been made to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. But our forces kept their morale high and thwarted all such moves by giving a befitting reply.
PM said, when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav On the completion of 75 years of independence, the government has set new goals and challenges for itself, with an emphasis on being more self-reliant.
“There was a time when our army was completely dependent on foreign weapons. Our soldiers also used to wait for parts of defense equipment from abroad. It will take years to get such a consignment. The military officer who signed the purchase deal will have to wait till his retirement to get it,” he said.
Stating that times have changed now, he said, “Today 65% of the defense budget is being spent for manufacturing such equipment within the country. Now we manufacture Arjun tank and Tejas aircraft within the country. More than 200 items including spare parts and other equipment are being made in India itself,” he said. “In this way, we have reduced our dependence on foreign weapons.”
The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the expansion of the role of women in the defense sector. With the opening of Permanent Commission, NDA, Rashtriya Military School, Rashtriya Indian Military College for women, she recalled her Independence Day announcement to open Sainik School for girls.
“I was constantly on the phone during the surgical strike. I wanted to make sure that every soldier returned safely. All the soldiers who carried out the surgical strike safely returned to their units and made me feel proud,” said Modi, who celebrated Diwali with jawans at Nowshera, Rajouri, Jammu, as a morale-boosting gesture.
He said that after the surgical strike, several attempts have been made to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. But our forces kept their morale high and thwarted all such moves by giving a befitting reply.
PM said, when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav On the completion of 75 years of independence, the government has set new goals and challenges for itself, with an emphasis on being more self-reliant.
“There was a time when our army was completely dependent on foreign weapons. Our soldiers also used to wait for parts of defense equipment from abroad. It will take years to get such a consignment. The military officer who signed the purchase deal will have to wait till his retirement to get it,” he said.
Stating that times have changed now, he said, “Today 65% of the defense budget is being spent for manufacturing such equipment within the country. Now we manufacture Arjun tank and Tejas aircraft within the country. More than 200 items including spare parts and other equipment are being made in India itself,” he said. “In this way, we have reduced our dependence on foreign weapons.”
The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the expansion of the role of women in the defense sector. With the opening of Permanent Commission, NDA, Rashtriya Military School, Rashtriya Indian Military College for women, she recalled her Independence Day announcement to open Sainik School for girls.
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