SRINAGAR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the threat of infiltration and proxy warfare remains unchanged since the 1999 Kargil conflict, while expressing confidence that the Indian Army is fully equipped and prepared to counter any challenge along the country’s borders.
Addressing Army personnel during a Shaurya Bhoj organised in Dras as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations, Singh said the government has prioritised the modernisation of the armed forces to ensure they are equipped with the latest technology, advanced weaponry and world-class training.
“The challenges before us have not diminished. The intent of infiltrators remains the same, and attempts through infiltration and proxy war continue. I have complete confidence that our Army is fully prepared to deal with every such challenge,” the Defence Minister said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
Singh reached Dras on Saturday evening to participate in the two-day Kargil Vijay Diwas events, including Shaurya Sandhya at the Kargil War Memorial, where the nation pays tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 conflict.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26 to commemorate the success of Operation Vijay, through which the Indian Army recaptured strategic heights in the Kargil sector that had been occupied by Pakistani forces.
Highlighting the government’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Singh said India’s push for *Aatmanirbharta* would further strengthen the armed forces and help them emerge among the finest military forces in the world.
He paid rich tributes to the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War, saying their courage and sacrifice continue to inspire the nation.
“We live in freedom and dignity today because our soldiers stood firm in the harshest conditions of Kargil, guarding the nation’s frontiers despite freezing temperatures and low oxygen levels,” he said.
Recalling his visits to Army formations over the years, Singh praised the camaraderie within the force, particularly the tradition of *Bada Khana*, where officers and soldiers share a common meal.
He said the practice symbolises unity, mutual respect and teamwork, values that have been central to the Army’s operational success.
“The ability of our soldiers to rise above every difference and work as one is their greatest strength. It is this spirit that enabled India to achieve victory in Kargil,” Singh said, adding that as long as the armed forces retain their patriotism and unwavering resolve, no external force would dare challenge the country’s sovereignty.
