India has never considered war first option but last resort; we believe in peace: PM Modi

Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, the prime minister also recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had “crushed the hood of terror”.

Kargil:  India has always viewed war as the last resort, but the armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, the prime minister also recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had “crushed the hood of terror”.

“There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag,” he said adding that Diwali symbolised the “celebration of the end of terror”.

“There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag,” he said adding that Diwali symbolised the “celebration of the end of terror”.

“I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around,” Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country’s frontiers.