Army strikes like Israel’s: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened the Army’s recent anti- terror surgical strikes across the LoC to Israel’s exploits, and said the world has taken note that Indian forces are no less capable.
“Our Army’s valour is being discussed across the country these days. We used to hear about similar feats by Israel. The nation has seen that Indian Army is no less capable,” the PM said. The vaunted Israeli forces are known for their targeted strikes against enemy countries and extremist outfits.
The PM was speaking at “Parivartan Rally” in pollbound Himachal Pradesh where he inaugurated a clutch of hydropower projects. A large number of Indian soldiers come from the hill state ruled by the Congress. Mr Modi’s comments also come at a time when the issue of surgical strikes — carried out in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 2829 days after a deadly terror attack in Uri that left 19 soldiers dead — has snowballed into a political row.
The opposition has accused the BJP and its government of “milking” a military operation for political benefits ahead of a string of state elections.
Posters congratulating the PM on the strikes have cropped up in several poll-
Continued from P1 - bound states such as Uttar Pradesh. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has repeatedly praised the PM and the government for authorising the raids.
Mr Modi also said that his government fulfilled its promise of implementing ‘ OneRank, One- Pension’ for ex- servicemen. The previous governments, he said, made tall claims but failed to equalise pension payouts for retired soldiers.
“Over ` 5,500 crore has been given in first installment. The rest of the amount will also be allocated. A promise hanging fire for the last 40 years has been fulfilled,” he said at the rally in Mandi.
The PM also targeted Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, saying BJP CMs dedicated themselves to causes like drinking water and roads, while the Congress leader was concerned about his own welfare.
BJP has accused Mr Singh of being involved in corruption but the Congress leader has rejected the charge and claimed that he was a victim of “political vendetta”. Elections are due late next year in the State.
People will demand that the Virbhadra Singh government give an account of its work, Mr Modi said, noting that the state was getting Rs 72,000 crore following the implementation of the 16th Finance Commission report instead of Rs 21,000 crore allocated earlier.