Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that nobody has the courage to raise their eyes towards India as brave soldiers are protecting the border and if need arises they will not hesitate to cross the Line of Control, which is already conveyed to the armed forces.
Singh along with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and tri-service chiefs visited the Kargil War Memorial here and paid tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1999 India-Pakistan war.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that India has great respect for all other countries and also follows laid down norms for international conduct but its generosity couldn’t be mistaken as its weakness.
“Narendra Modi led government is very clear and gave free hand to armed forces to launch operation across the border, if need arises. At that time (1999) if we did not cross the LoC, it does not mean we are not able to cross.
We could have crossed the LoC, we can cross the LoC, and will cross the LoC in future if needed,” Singh said. Furthermore, the defence minster said, “I would like to reiterate that we could have crossed the LoC, we can cross the LoC, and will cross the LoC in future if the need arises, I assure the countrymen of this”.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “I salute those brave sons, who sacrificed everything for the protection of the motherland. I salute those brave sons who put the nation first and did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for it."
Assuring the people that country is in safer hands, Singh said, “We know that as long as you (army) are protecting us on the borders, no one can even have the courage to raise their eyes towards India. Not only Kargil, but many times since independence till today, your (soilders) bravery has made the nation proud from time to time”.
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Navy chief admiral R Hari Kumar paid their respects at the memorial by laying a wreath and visited the tombstones dedicated to the fallen soldiers.