Modi celebrates Diwali with soldiers in Rajouri

Our Correspondent

Rajouri, October 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday like every year celebrated Diwali with soldiers at the headquarters(HQs) of the Army Ace of Spades Division at Rajouri in J&K.

Accompanied by General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief, the Prime Minister flew to Rajouri and spent more than two hours at the headquarters where he interacted with the senior Army Commanders deployed in Rajouri and Poonch district.

Immediately after landing at Rajouri, the Prime Minister paid homage to martyrs of Rajouri and Poonch districts, including civilians at Hall of Fame. He termed it ‘Parakram Bhoomi, Prerna Bhoomi, Paavan Bhoomi’.

Before the arrival of the Prime Minister, Pakistan army violated cease fire in the Sunderbani Sector in the district in which Lance Naik Suresh Kumar was injured.

The Prime Minister addressed about 1,000 soldiers gathered at Raina stadium inside the Division HQs and praised the soldiers for their valour that led the government to take impossible decisions.The Prime Minister spoke on surgical strikes by the Army inside PoK following Pulwama attack, in which 49 CRPF personnel had sacrificed their lives.

He also spoke on the necessity of abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A provisions. “Everybody wants to celebrate Diwali with their family members and I am here to celebrate Diwali with my family of brave soldiers” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers on behalf of the people of the country in safeguarding the national borders and said, “A large number of people are paying homage to the martyrs at the National War Memorial”.

He also spoke about the steps taken by his government for the welfare of soldiers.“Though we are away from our families but we are happy and feel proud that we are celebrating Diwali with the Prime Minister” said Moen Ahamed, a soldier.

A JCO thanked the people of the country for expressing their gratitude towards the Indian soldiers through the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister exchanged Diwali greetings and sweets with the soldiers deployed on the border.“While interacting with our soldiers, I thanked them on behalf of the people of India for their monumental service. Their vigilance and valour keeps our nation safe” the PM tweeted after the visit.