On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Pakistan for its repeated, unsuccessful attempts at subversion and its failure to learn from past mistakes. Speaking at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on the 25th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1999, PM Modi asserted that Pakistan continues to rely on terrorism and proxy wars to stay relevant.
“From this place, where the masterminds of terror can hear me directly, I want to tell them that their evil intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a fitting response,” Modi declared. He also laid a floral wreath at the Drass War Memorial to honor the officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army declared the successful end of “Operation Vijay,” marking victory after a nearly three-month-long battle in the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. This day is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate India’s triumph over Pakistan in the war.
Addressing the Agnipath scheme, PM Modi rebuked the Opposition, stating that the scheme represents necessary reforms within the Indian Army. He noted that some people previously thought the Army was about saluting politicians and doing parades. “But for us, the Army symbolizes the trust of 140 crore countrymen,” he said. Defending Agnipath, Modi explained that the scheme aims to keep the Indian Army young and fit for war. “Unfortunately, some have politicized this sensitive issue related to national security. These are the same people who weakened our Army by committing scams worth thousands of crores,” Modi said.
–Simran
