Diwali Srinagar/UNI: Stressing that India has always viewed war as the last resort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said Diwali signifies the festival of the end of terror and that Kargil had made it possible.
Addressing the soldiers in Kargil on Diwali, Modi said anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, the armed forces have the strength to give a befitting reply to them.
Modi said that he was witness to the 1999 Kargil war.
"From the land of Kargil, there has not been a single war with Pakistan where Kargil has not hoisted the flag of victory. The meaning of Diwali is end of Aatank (terror) and Kargil made it possible," he said.
Modi said he was fortunate enough to be a witness to the Kargil war closely.
In the summer of 1999, Pakistani soldiers, bulk of them drawn from northern light infantry and commandos from special services group, and fighters from many militant groups had occupied vantage points atop the towering mountain peaks that overlooks the strategic Srinagar- Leh highway.
In the ensuing battles that were fought in rugged mountain terrains and hostile climatic conditions Indian Army managed to win back its territory after two months of battle. More than 500 Indian Army officers and soldiers were killed in the Kargil War.
PM Modi said that India's prestige had risen globally.
"India’s going is up, and it is possible because India has been successful in dealing with enemies outside and inside," Modi said.
Modi said India has always viewed war as the last resort.
"We have always considered war as the last option. Whether it took place in Lanka or Kurukshetra, till the end, every effort was made to prevent it. We are in the favour of world peace.
"But anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, our armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to them,” he said, adding, "Peace is impossible without strength."
He said while soldiers are protecting the country at the borders, they were working within the country to fight evils like terrorism.
"Just like all of you are protecting us at the borders, we're working within the country to fight evils like terrorism, naxalism, corruption. Naxalism had taken a huge part of the country in its grasp, but today that stretch is rapidly decreasing," he said.
PM Modi said the soldiers have been like his family. "... it's a privilege to celebrate Diwali amid all of you," Modi said.
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