Key Points

Interacting with the veterans to commemorate the diamond jubilee of India's victory over Pakistan in 1965 at an event organised by the Indian Army at South Block, the Defence Minister said, "The cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam still fills our hearts with pain and grief. It shook us but didn't break our morale. PM Modi took a pledge to teach terrorists a lesson they never could have imagined."

He said, "Operation Sindoor showed our enemies how strong we are. The coordination and courage with which our forces executed the operation is proof that victory is no longer an exception for us; it has become our habit. We must always maintain this habit."

"Our resolve of defence modernisation, better training of soldiers and equipment upgrades are aimed to ensure that the forces never face a lack of resources," he said, according to a Defence Ministry statement.

Crediting political will and leadership for victory in war, the Defence Minister said, "No war is fought only on the battlefield; victory in war is the result of the collective resolve of the entire nation."

He said in 1965, India managed to face the uncertainty and challenges, also due to the strong-willed leadership of the then PM Lal Bahadur Shastri.

"He not only provided decisive political leadership but also raised the morale of the entire nation to greater heights. Even under adverse circumstances, we displayed unity and won the war," said Rajnath Singh.

The Defence Minister reiterated the government's unwavering resolve towards the dignity and welfare of the serving soldiers, veterans and the families of the fallen heroes, terming it "top priority".

Paying tributes to the 1965 war bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, Rajnath Singh said, "Pakistan thought it could frighten us through infiltration, guerrilla tactics and surprise attacks, but little did it know that every Indian soldier serves the motherland with the feeling that the sovereignty and integrity of the nation will never be compromised at any cost."

The event was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, other senior serving officers, decorated veterans, gallantry awardees and family members of 1965 war heroes.

The ceremony stood as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the 1965 war and served to inspire future generations to uphold the enduring values of courage, sacrifice and service before self, said the statement.

- IANS