India Responds with Precision: Raksha Mantri Lauds Armed Forces for ‘Operation Sindoor’ and Dedicates 50 Strategic BRO Projects to the Nation

New Delhi: In a firm response to recent terrorist violence, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh today declared that ‘Operation Sindoor’ was India’s rightful answer to attacks on its soil, carried out with precision, precaution, and compassion. Speaking at the 66th Raising Day celebrations of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment, the Defence Minister said India’s Armed Forces had made history by targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoK) without harming civilians.

“The whole world has witnessed what our Armed Forces have done today. The action was carried out very thoughtfully and in a measured manner… aimed at breaking the morale of terrorists,” Rajnath Singh said.

He reaffirmed that no Pakistani military facility or civilian population was targeted during the operation and commended the Armed Forces for executing the mission with restraint and focus. The action, he said, was carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who provided complete support to the forces.

In a landmark move during the same event, the Raksha Mantri virtually dedicated 50 strategic infrastructure projects built by BRO to the nation. These include 30 bridges, 17 roads, and 3 other works spanning across eight States and Union Territories, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, West Bengal, and Rajasthan.

Constructed at a total cost of ₹1,879 crore, these projects are expected to bolster national security, connectivity, and development in remote and border areas.

“These are not just infrastructure assets; they are pathways to a brighter future,” the Defence Minister remarked.

In the past two years alone, the BRO has completed 161 infrastructure projects worth ₹5,600 crore, including a record 111 projects in the last year. Over the last four years, the tally stands at 456 completed projects involving a cumulative expenditure of ₹13,743 crore.

Highlighting the strategic role of the BRO, Rajnath Singh said modern military effectiveness hinges not only on weaponry but also on the infrastructure that enables force mobility.

“You can have the fastest tank or the most advanced aircraft, but if they can’t reach where they are needed on time, they serve no purpose,” he added, calling for war-level preparedness in building next-generation military infrastructure.

He applauded the BRO ‘Karmayogis’ for their tireless work in some of the country’s most challenging terrains and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to empower border communities. He made special mention of the Sela Tunnel as a shining symbol of connectivity and development in high-altitude areas.

Rajnath Singh also cited the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to revitalise remote border settlements, stating that the government is building 35 km of roads per day under the initiative to strengthen rural infrastructure and security.

Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan underscored the increasing trust placed in BRO by central ministries and reiterated the agency’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel, including GREF staff and Casual Paid Labourers.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiran Rijiju, MoS Dr Jitendra Singh, Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi, and Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh. Governors and Chief Ministers of several border states and UTs joined the ceremony virtually.