Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said today that the Army is very strong and is facing every challenge very effectively.
He said this in a brief chat with media persons after paying tribute to fallen soldiers here.
Responding to a question on terror killings at village Dhangri in Rajouri district, Bhatt said the Army is facing all challenges.
Stating that during the Covid pandemic, entire world faced downfall but Prime Minister Narendra Modi very well handled the situation in the country, Bhatt said that ration stores are full enough to feed people of the country for one year even in the crisis.
“During the Covid time, the world saw a downfall but our PM handled the situation. And, at a time when the economical graph of many countries took nosedive, India was listed at fifth place and globally became economic power,” he said.
On the ration situation, he said, “our stores are full and if we have no ration for one year, still we can feed our people like we are doing at present.”
Without naming Pakistan, he said, “in neighbouring countries, people are fighting for ration, but see the management of our PM that even during three Covid waves, we gave free ration to crores of people in each wave.”
To a question that the people of Pakistan have praised India, the Minister said, “Pakistan definitely will praise us. We do not think bad for others but, external forces either tried to capture our boundaries or disrupt peace. We never wanted or started the war but if anybody does, our forces gave befitting replies and Uri or Gawlan are examples of it.”
On the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “the security situation is well in place. Our forces, para-military or army, are working with synergy. To secure our people is our duty.”
“We never wanted war. We gave Budh (Lord Buddha), which means peace and not the Yudh (war) to the world,” he expressed.
Bhatt said that with the cooperation and valour of the people, peace is restored in Jammu and Kashmir due to which the number of tourists also increased in the last couple of years.
He further said that the Army is given free hand to take any right decision whenever and wherever they want to, adding, “our commanders are taking all measures and decisions keeping ifs and buts in mind.”
Earlier, Bhatt paid tribute to fallen soldiers during a visit to Balidan Stambh at the Indian Army’s Tiger Division here.
Bhatt, who reviewed the troops’ operational preparedness, was received by General Officer Commanding (Tiger Division) Maj Gen Gaurav Gautam.
He also interacted with the troops and lauded their morale for maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and dedication towards duty while safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
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