I am indeed delighted to be with you in this beautiful environment today. I greet the Officers,JCOs other ranks and non-combatants deployed in this sector on the line of control. I commend all ranks for the yeoman service rendered by them while safeguarding the borders our great Nation. I am aware that this is a very challenging and daunting task, especially in an inhospitable and difficult terrain of Jammu and Kashmir.

Controlling infiltration of terrorists from across the border is one of the major tasks Army is performing along the Line of Control. To a large extent, you have very successfully thwarted the ulterior designs of the terrorists. A large number of terrorists are being eliminated every day. But our ultimate aim is to restore normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir and ensure peace returns to this border state. I am confident that Armed Forces will always respond to any task even beyond the call of duty.

In order to assist you to fight insurgency, the Government has taken a number of steps to modernise the Armed Forces. We are now providing state of the art surveillance equipment night vision systems and communication equipment which will function as your eyes and ears and help check in infiltration.

I am aware that besides guarding the borders and checking infiltration, Army is actively involved in civic action. Helping our brother citizens and their children will, I am sure, go a long way in restoring normalcy as also strengthening bond between the Armed Forces and citizens. The Government is well aware of the hardships being faced by our troops deployed in such areas. We are making all out efforts to improve the quality of life of our soldiers deployed in far flung areas. Apart from providing opportunity to speak to your families, efforts to send more troops on leave by air are some of the measures being taken to improve the quality of life. For those troops in peace areas, we are making concerted efforts to increase the married accommodation as also provide better education facilities to the children of Armed Forces Personnel. The Government has also taken adequate steps to look after the ex-servicemen. Recently, the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme has been launched which will provide proper health services to the ex-servicemen and their families throughout the country.

Before, I conclude, I want to assure you that the entire Nation is with you in this honourable duty. We are all very proud of the Indian Army and its achievements.

Finally, I wish you all the very best of luck and may you all succeed in all your future missions. I also take this opportunity to wish your families the very best of luck.

JAI HIND!!!

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