IN A stern warning to Islamabad on the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan has been trying to stay relevant by using terrorism and proxy wars and Indian soldiers will crush all terror attempts with full force. Addressing a ceremony at the Kargil memorial in Dras, Modi said “falsehood and terror” were brought down to their knees by the truth in the 1999 war. He also noted that Pakistan has not learnt anything from its past. “Today, I am speaking at a place from where the masters of terror can hear my voice directly. I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed,” Modi said in the presence of India’s top military brass. Condemning terrorism, Modi said Pakistan has always faced defeat in the past and asserted that the evil intentions of terrorists will never be fulfilled. “Pakistan has not learnt anything from its past and has continued to wage war in the garb of terrorism and proxy wars to stay relevant,” he said. .

 

“Our bravehearts will trample all the terror attempts,” Modi asserted. The Prime Minister also paid glowing tributes to soldiers who had made supreme sacrifices in the Kargil war. “In Kargil, we not only won the war, we presented an incredible example of truth, restraint and strength,” he remarked. Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Prime Minister said, reminds us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal. “The nation is forever indebted and deeply grateful to the mighty superheroes of our Armed Forces,” Modi said. On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory after a nearly three-month battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. The day is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan. In his remarks at the Shraddhanjali Samaroh, Modi said the victory in Kargil war was not of any Government or any party. “This victory belongs to the country.” Recalling the days of the Kargil war, Modi said he was fortunate to be amidst soldiers back then and added that he still remembers how the soldiers carried out a difficult operation at such a height. “I salute the brave sons of the country who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the motherland,” he said. “India will overcome all challenges that come in the way of development, be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

 

The abrogation of Article 370, Modi reminded, will complete five years on August 5 and today’s Jammu and Kashmir is talking about a new future full of dreams. Modi gave examples of progress in Jammu and Kashmir and mentioned G20 meetings being held in the union territory. “This heaven on earth is swiftly moving in the direction of peace and prosperity,” the prime minister added. PM targets oppn over Agnipath: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Agnipath scheme is an example of necessary reforms undertaken by the Army and accused the Opposition of playing politics over the recruitment process aimed at keeping the average age in armed forces young.

 

Modi said some people were playing politics over a sensitive issue related to national security and rubbished claims that the Agnipath scheme was launched to save pension money. “The aim of Agnipath is to make the forces young...The aim of Agnipath is to keep the armies continuously fit for war,” he said. “Unfortunately, such a sensitive issue related to national security has been made a subject of politics by some people. Some people are playing politics of lies for their personal interests even on this reform of the army,” he said. The Prime Minister said Angipath scheme is an example of necessary reforms done by the army. “For decades, there have been discussions in Parliament and various committees on making the armed forces younger. The average age of Indian soldiers being higher than the global average has been a matter of concern,” he added. He said this issue was raised in many committees for years but the will to resolve this national security challenge was not shown earlier. “The country has addressed this concern through the Agnipath scheme,” he said.