Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday called upon the jawans of the Indian Army to give a befitting reply to any enemy that tries to disturb the territorial sanctity of the nation.
“Arunachal Pradesh will always be with the Indian Army for whatever help and assistance required so whatever the situation be, a befitting reply has to be given to any enemy who tries to disturb the territorial sanctity of our great nation,” Khandu, who was interacting with the troops of Indian army deployed at several locations of the Indo-China border in the state, said.
The chief minister along with Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra was addressing the officers and soldiers of the Indian Army deployed at different locations of the state including Walong in Anjaw district, Mechuka in Shi-Yomi and Tawang on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Khandu who virtually joined the celebrations from the Chuje Army establishment in Tawang thanked the Indian Army for serving in one of the most difficult and hostile terrains of Arunachal.
“We the Arunachalees greatly value the role of Indian Army in guarding the borders,” he said.
The chief minister said the bonhomie between the Indian Army and the civilians in Arunachal Pradesh are unmatchable as both the local population and the soldiers go the extra mile to help and support each other as and when needed.
Paying his tribute to the martyrs of 1999 Kargil war, Khandu said “Kargil Vijay Diwas is commemorated to honor the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers during the 1999 Kargil war. After over three months of combat on the freezing heights of Kargil, the Indian Army got victory on July 26, 1999, bringing ‘Operation Vijay’ to a triumphant conclusion”.
He proudly acknowledged the supreme sacrifice of 527 Indian Armed Forces men who made Operation Vijay possible.
“Today the entire nation pays homage to the Kargil martyrs, the sacrifices made by them as the true sons of the soil will not be forgotten and continue to serve as inspiration to all ranks and files of the great and brave Indian Army” Khandu said.
Earlier on the day, the chief minister laid a wreath at the Tawang War Memorial in remembrance of the great martyrs of Kargil War and paid his tribute to the great souls.
Governor Mishra who joined the event from Raj Bhawan here, in his address exhorted the officers and personnel of the Indian army to do their duty with dedication, gallantry, responsibility and bravery.
He urged them to keep every inch of our motherland secure.
The governor also recalled the valour and sacrifices of the Kargil War heroes and their sense of duty towards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
“The credit of the Kargil victory goes to every soldier who fought in Kargil War with full preparedness to make supreme sacrifice for the safety and security of the nation,” he said.
Mishra also complimented the Indian Army troops deployed in Arunachal Pradesh for their operational efficiency and excellent environmental initiatives in the places of their deployment. He appreciated the troops for instilling confidence and affinity amongst the local population and also building an amicable bond amongst the armed forces and the civil society.
The governor urged upon the personnel of various Army Mountain Divisions to motivate and prepare local youth for recruitment in the armed forces.
“Home grown soldiers are the best soldiers for the defence of the national integrity,” he said.
Both governor and the chief minister extended their appreciation for Lt Gen Manoj Pande, GOC in Command, Eastern Command for facilitating the virtual meet with the brave soldiers.
