- Defence Minister celebrates Vijayadashami in Bhuj, hails Armed Forces’ valour, underlines Gujarat’s role as frontline border state
- Weapons must always be used for the protection of justice & righteousness: Rajnath during Shastra pooja
- Citing Exercise Varunastra, he highlights India’s growing capability in joint operations across land, sea and air
NE NEWS SERBICE
BHUJ, OCT 2
On the occasion of Vijayadashami, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed Shastra Puja at the Bhuj Military Station in Gujarat and sent a strong warning to Pakistan, asserting that any misadventure in the Sir Creek sector will invite a decisive response that could change both history and geography.
Lauding the Armed Forces for their swift and successful counter-action in Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister said Pakistan’s attempt to penetrate India’s defences from Leh to Sir Creek was crushed decisively, exposing the weakness of its air defence network. “India has shown it can inflict heavy damage at a time, place and manner of its choosing,” he declared.
Rajnath Singh reminded that in 1965 the Indian Army displayed unmatched courage by reaching Lahore, adding: “In 2025, Pakistan must remember that the road to Karachi also passes through the Creek.”
Gujarat: The Frontline of Security
Highlighting Gujarat’s strategic significance as a border state, the Defence Minister emphasized the role of Bhuj and the Sir Creek region in safeguarding India’s western frontier. He inaugurated the Tidal Independent Berthing Facility and the Joint Control Centre (JCC) in the Creek sector, calling them vital enablers for integrated coastal defence, joint operations and rapid response against threats.
Shastra as Protector of Dharma
Rajnath Singh underlined that Shastra Puja is not just a ritual but a civilizational philosophy — where weapons, like farmers’ ploughs or students’ books, are revered as instruments of dharma. “Weapons must always be used for the protection of justice and righteousness,” he said, adding that India seeks peace but will never hesitate to act with full force against aggression or terrorism.
He praised the jointness of the Army, Navy and Air Force, describing them as the three pillars of national security. Citing Exercise Varunastra, he highlighted India’s growing capability in joint operations across land, sea and air.
Emerging Challenges & Aatmanirbhar Push
The Defence Minister noted that threats to national security now extend beyond traditional aggression, emerging also as terrorism, cyber warfare and information warfare. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening indigenous defence production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, positioning the nation as a manufacturer and exporter of cutting-edge equipment.
Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, Rajnath Singh drew parallels between Gandhiji’s moral courage and the resolve of India’s soldiers. “Our troops possess both morale and modern weapons, and no challenge can withstand their determination,” he said.
The event was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, senior commanders of the Army, and Air Force officials, reflecting India’s strong resolve to safeguard sovereignty and integrity on all fronts.
