Exceptional coordination among armed forces brought Pak to its knees: PM ‘Brahmos, Akash proved capabilities during Op Sindoor’

PANAJI, Oct 21:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the exceptional coordination among the three armed forces – fear instilled by the Navy, extraordinary skills of the Air Force and bravery of the Army – forced Pakistan to its knees during Operation Sindoor in no time.

Addressing the Navy personnel onboard INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, he said the indigenously built aircraft carrier was a “powerful symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and its handover to the Navy led to renouncement of a major colonial legacy.

“A few months ago we had seen how INS Vikrant had given Pakistan some sleepless nights. INS Vikrant, the name itself puts an end to the courage of the enemy,” Modi said.

Modi spent a night onboard INS Vikrant and witnessed the Navy’s air power at the high seas with MiG 27 aircraft demonstrating its skills on the aircraft carrier built at the Cochin Shipyard.

He said that when the enemy is in front and war is imminent, the side that possesses the strength to fight independently always holds the advantage.

“The fear instilled by the Indian Navy, the extraordinary skill demonstrated by the Indian Air Force, and the bravery of the Indian Army, along with the exceptional coordination among all three services, brought Pakistan on its knees swiftly during Operation Sindoor,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the armed forces deserved a special salute for their actions.

“For the armed forces to be strong, self-reliance is essential,” he said, asserting that over the years India’s forces have steadily advanced towards self-reliance.
“Missiles such as BrahMos and Akash have proven their capabilities during Operation Sindoor. Several countries around the world are now interested in purchasing these missiles,” Modi said.

He said that the armed forces have identified thousands of items that will no longer be imported, resulting in most essential military equipment now being manufactured domestically.

He said that in the last 11 years, India’s defence production has more than tripled, crossing Rs 1.5 lakh crore last year.

Since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered over 40 indigenous warships and submarines to the Navy, Modi said, adding that on an average a submarine or warship produced domestically is being inducted every 40 days.

He said India was building the capacity to export weapons and equipment for all three armed forces.
“India’s goal is to be counted among the world’s top defence exporters”, Modi said, adding that over the past decade, the country’s defence exports have increased more than 30-fold.

He credited this success significantly to the contributions of defence start-ups and indigenous
defence units.

The Prime Minister also commended the Indian Coast Guard for their vital role in national defence and noted their continuous coordination with the Navy to secure India’s coastline day and night.

He recalled the moment when INS Vikrant was handed over to the nation, and said the warship was grand, immense, panoramic, unique and exceptional.

Modi said India is on the verge of eradicating Naxal-Maoist terror and more than 100 districts freed from this scourge will celebrate Diwali with dignity this year.
He lauded the bravery of the security forces, saying they have achieved significant successes against Maoist terror and reduced their influence to just 11 districts, from 125 districts a decade ago.

“It is due to the valour and courage of our security forces that the country has achieved another major milestone over the last few years. This milestone is about eradication of Maoist terrorism. The country is on the verge of liberation from Naxal-Maoist terror,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that before 2014, nearly 125 districts across the country were in the grip of Maoist violence and this number has now reduced to just 11 districts due to the steps taken by the government over the past decade.
“Of these 11 districts, only three districts remain under their influence,” he said.

“More than 100 districts are now free from Maoist terror and are breathing in open air for the first time and celebrating a splendid Diwali,” the Prime Minister said.

“In many such districts, people are celebrating Diwali for the first time. Record sales and purchases are being witnessed in these areas during the GST Bachat Utsav. In districts where Maoist terror once suppressed even the mention of the Constitution, the mantra of Swadeshi now resonates,” he said.

Modi said it was perhaps for the first time since Independence that the police forces were faced with such a big challenge and in the past 10 years, he believed that the scourge of the last 50 years will be defeated.

“They (police forces) have achieved 90 per cent success,” he said, asserting that fighting the war within the country required a lot of patience to ensure that no innocent life was lost.

He said there were regions where Maoists did not allow building schools, roads and hospitals, blew up schools and hospitals and gunned down doctors.

In the same regions, highways are being built, new businesses are taking root, and schools and hospitals are building a new future for children, Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that these successes have been achieved due to the penance, sacrifice and courage of the security forces.

“I am delighted that for the first time, people in many such districts of the country are going to celebrate Diwali with pride, honour and dignity,” Modi said.

He also saluted the brave police forces who are leading the fight against Maoist terror.

Modi said the successes against Maoist terror have been achieved due to the sacrifices of a number of police personnel who have lost a limb, find it difficult to get off a wheel chair, but still have the same passion to fight. (PTI)