LS Polls: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Says, 'India Has Capability To Hit Targets Within And Across Border'

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praise India's demonstrated ability to strike targets within and across borders under PM Modi's leadership, post-Uri and Pulwama attacks.

File photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Source : PTI

New Delhi:  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has shown to the world that it has the power to hit its targets within and across the border in the aftermath of Uri and Pulwama terror attacks. Recalling the tragic events, where terrorists targeted an army camp in Uri in 2016 resulting in the loss of 19 soldiers, and the devastating suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in 2019 claiming over 40 lives, he lauded the Indian Army's surgical strike and the Indian Air Force's subsequent destruction of a terrorist camp in Balakote, Pakistan.

Addressing a campaign rally in support of BJP candidate Jitendra Singh, Rajnath said, “Earlier India was considered as a soft state…India has neither attacked any country nor occupied any foreign land which is its character. But when Uri and Pulwama happened, India gave a strong message that we will not touch anyone but if touched by someone we will not leave them,” reported PTI.

Singh, seeking re-election for the third term from Udhampur parliamentary constituency, which is going to polls in the first phase on April 19.  “We have the capability and power to hit (our targets) anywhere within and across our borders. The power of India increased in the world (after the surgical strikes),” he said, giving credit to PM Modi's leadership.

Rajnath Highlighted the successful evacuation of over 22,500 Indian students amidst the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in early 2022, Prime Minister Modi established the swift diplomatic efforts that led to a temporary ceasefire. Following Modi's engagement with the presidents of both countries and the United States, the fighting halted for over four hours, allowing for the safe return of Indian students as demanded by their concerned parents.

Every Citizen Benefited From Govt Schemes: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh also mentioned that the government's proactive measures facilitated the students' safe evacuation from the war-torn region, ensuring their well-being and reuniting them with their families back home. The senior BJP leader said that virtually every citizen in the country has benefited from government schemes implemented over the past decade.

He highlighted the successful implementation of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive, which provided free vaccinations to all citizens, attributing its success to strong leadership.

Additionally, the Defence Minister expressed confidence in securing victory in all Lok Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir. When questioned about the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate, he refrained from providing a direct response, stating that the matter is currently sub-judice.