Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 'Parakram Parv' celebrations, in Jodhpur
The Indian Army had carried out surgical strikes against Pakistan exactly two years ago on the intervening night of September 28-29.
On the second anniversary of 2016 surgical strikes, a three-day celebration, called “Parakram Parv”, was launched across the country on Friday.
Exhibitions were held in different parts of the country to showcase Indian Army’s professionalism and striking capabilities.
The people of India got an opportunity on Friday to understand the working style of Indian Army and know the soldiers from close quarters.
At Delhi’s India Gate, pictures and videos of the valour of Indian soldiers were showcased at a large scale.
According to India TV correspondent Manish Prasad, the Army also showcased weapons that were deployed at the Indo-China border. These weapons also included Bofors guns as well as air defence barrel guns.
When the commandos of the Indian Army had entered the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for carrying out the surgical strikes, anti-tank guided missiles, artillery guns and air defence guns were put at alert mode at the border so that a befitting reply could be given to Pakistan in case it resorted to retaliatory action after surgical strikes.
The “Parakram Parv” was formally launched from Rajasthan when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an exhibition showcasing Indian Army’s valour at a military station in Jodhpur.
PM Modi talked to the chiefs of the three wings of the Indian military- Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy- and held commanders’ conference. He also saw the weapons displayed at the exhibition.
The prime minister spent alt least 15 minutes at the exhibition.
PM Modi was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, National security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the three chiefs of armed forces and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid obeisance to the martyrs at “Shaheed Chowk”. He also observed two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the brave martyrs of Indian Army.
In the visitors' book at the Konark War Memorial here, Modi wrote that the country is proud of its armed forces which are committed to the defence of the motherland.
Writing in Gujarati, he paid homage to martyrs who made the "ultimate sacrifice", saying they will be a source of inspiration for generations.
On September 29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on seven terrorist launchpads across the LoC in retaliation to an attack on its base in Uri earlier that month.
The Army had said its special forces inflicted "significant casualties" on terrorists waiting there to cross into Indian territory.
The defence minister had announced last week that various events will be held from September 28 to 30 to commemorate the valour of soldiers.
Watch: 2 years of surgical strikes: Nation celebrates ‘Parakram Parv’
