Modi visits Ladakh, interacts with Army, Airforce, ITBP

SRINAGAR  JULY(PTK) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a surprise visit to Ladakh and was briefed by senior officers at a forward position in Nimu amid ongoing tension with China.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

He reached Nimu, early morning today and he is presently interacting with Army, Air Force and ITBP personnel.

Located at 11,000 feet, this is among the tough terrains, surrounded by Zanskar range and on the banks of the Indus.

Sources had earlier informed about CDS Rawat’s visit to Leh today. General Rawat’s visit holds importance since it comes in the wake of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Ladakh being rescheduled.

Earlier, the Defence Minister was scheduled to visit Ladakh today to review the preparedness of the army amid the ongoing standoff with China.

The situation at the India-China border remains tense after 20 Indian army men lost their lives in a violent face-off in the Galwan valley on June 15-16 when Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo during the de-escalation.

“From Leh, Ladakh to Siachen and Kargil…and Galwan’s icy waters…every mountain, every peak is witness to the valour of Indian soldiers,” PM Modi said in Ladakh

“Age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History is witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back,” He said

We are the same people who pray to the flute playing Lord Krishna but we are also the same people who idolise and follow the same Lord Krishna who carries the ‘Sudarshana Chakra’: he added

We have increased expenditure on development on infrastructure in the border area by three times, he added.

Whether World Wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity, he said(PTK)