Dras, Ladakh: Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh asserted the nation’s commitment to preserving its honour and dignity, stating that India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir to maintain its honour and dignity. Speaking at the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas event at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh, he urged civilians to stand alongside the soldiers in such situations.
Drawing a parallel with the Russia-Ukraine war, Singh highlighted the significance of civilian participation in the conflict, which has been prolonged due to their active involvement. He paid tribute to the soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil war, which he mentioned was imposed on India by Pakistan.
“We were back-stabbed by Pakistan… the war was imposed on India. I salute our brave sons who put the country first and sacrificed their lives,” he said.
The Defence Minister expressed admiration for the public’s historical support for the armed forces, though mostly indirect. However, he called for the public to be prepared to offer direct support on the battlefield if the need arises.
“We can go to any extreme to maintain the honour and dignity of the country… if that includes crossing the LoC, we are ready to do that,” he said.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan during the fierce counter-assault launched by the Indian Army in 1999 to reclaim important heights in Ladakh that were stealthily occupied by Pakistani forces.
Comments