Rajnath Singh is accompanied by the Army Chief of Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
New Delhi:
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reviewed the combat readiness of the Indian military at the Sukna headquarters of its 33 corps, which is responsible for keeping the Line of Real Control (LAC) with China in the Sikkim sector, officials said.
The Defense Minister arrived at the key military base, popularly known as the ‘Trishakti’ Corps, in Darjeeling district in the late afternoon as part of his two-day visit to Bengal West and Sikkim to examine the state of military readiness for the border. with China in eastern Ladakh as well as to celebrate Dussehra with soldiers.
Mr. Singh is accompanied by the Army Chief of Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
The army has significantly increased the deployment of troops and weapons along the nearly 3,500 km LAC, including areas of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Officials said senior commanders of the 33rd Corps had given detailed briefings to the defense minister and General Naravane on the situation along the LAC in the Sikkim sector as well as the deployment of troops and weapons.
While interacting with a group of members of the military, the Minister of Defense conveyed his wishes to them on the occasion of Vijayadashami and praised their dedication to securing the country’s borders.
“Thanks to brave soldiers like you, the borders of this country are protected. The whole country is proud of you,” he said.
The Minister of Defense also spoke about the rich history of the Trishakti Corps.
“The Trishakti Corps has a great golden history. Particularly in 1962, 1967, 1971 and 1975, this Corps showed examples of bravery. It was excellent,” he said.
“I extend my best wishes to all of you and your family for the Vijayadashami festival,” the defense minister’s office tweeted, quoting him.
Officials said Singh will perform the “ Shastra puja ” (weapon worship) in the Sherathang region of Sikkim on Sunday morning on the occasion of Dussehra.
The defense minister had performed “Shastra Puja” in the French port city of Bordeaux during Dussehra last year while on a bilateral visit to the country at the time.
Singh has performed “Shastra Puja” in Dussehra in recent years, including during his tenure as Union Home Minister in the previous NDA government.
Almost all of the Indian army formations along the LAC are on very high alert due to the border with China in eastern Ladakh.
India and China are locked in a border standoff lasting more than five months in eastern Ladakh that has strained relations considerably.
The two sides held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve the conflict. However, no progress has been made to end the impasse.
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
