‘India a strong economic, military power’

SHIMLA : Chief minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur hailed the surgical strike carried out by the Army against terror launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) two years ago.

“This unparalleled feat of bravery of Indian Armed Forces has brought the level of professionalism to the best of only few forces of the world,” he said while presiding over a statelevel ‘Parkram Parv’ organised to celebrate Surgical Strike Day on The Ridge in Shimla on Saturday.

He said that the surgical strike was possible due to strong decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said India has emerged as a strong economic and military power in the recent years owing to strong political leadership at present in the country.

Thakur lauded the role of armed forces in times of peace especially in rescuing operations during disasters. He said more than 3,000 precious lives could be saved due to swift action of security forces in heavy snow in some districts of the state.

“Around 250 stranded tourists who were caught in heavy snowfall in Lahaul and Kullu were airlifted and rescued by the forces,” he said.

He said the present government was committed to the welfare of serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and war widows and has increased the pension of non-pensioners ex-servicemen or their widows from ₹500 to ₹3,000 per month.

CM Thakur also honoured gallantry award winners and war widows on the occasion. Besides, he also visited the display of weaponry by the Army.