(This was originally posted in Times Of India by M Saleem Pandit)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the 2016 surgical strike on terror launchpads across the LoC displayed the Army’s capabilities and that he himself monitored the operation till the last soldier’s return. “I was constantly on the phone at the time of the surgical strike. I wanted to ensure that each soldier returned safely. All the soldiers who carried out the surgical strike made me feel proud by returning to their unit safely,” said Modi, who celebrated Diwali with jawans in Nowshera in Rajouri, Jammu, as a morale-boosting gesture.
He said many attempts have been made since the surgical strike to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “But our forces kept their morale high and thwarted all such moves by giving a befitting reply.” The PM said while the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav to mark 75 years of Independence, the government has set new targets and challenges for itself, with emphasis on being more self reliant. “There was a time when our forces were fully dependent on foreign arms. Even our soldiers would wait for spare parts of defence equipment from foreign countries. It would take years to receive such consignments. The army officer who would sign the procurement deal had to wait till his retirement to receive the same,” he said.
Asserting that times have now changed, he said, “Today, 65% of the defence budget is being spent within the country to manufacture such equipment. We now manufacture Arjun tanks and Tejas aircraft within the country. More than 200 items, including spare parts and other equipment, are being made in India itself,” he said. “This way, we have reduced our dependence on foreign arms.” The PM expressed happiness over expansion of women’s roles in the defence sector. Along with opening up permanent commission, NDA, National Military School, National Indian Military College for women, he recalled his Independence Day announcement of opening up Sainik Schools for girls.
