India
Defence Minister Urges Highest Readiness from Bagdogra Air Base
By PTI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that India’s armed forces must keep the highest level of operational readiness to counter any threats to national security. He delivered the message from Bagdogra Air Force Station, a key base near the China frontier in the eastern sector. Singh warned that the adversary avoids direct confrontation but seeks to exploit vulnerabilities, including through social media to sow doubt among the local population and soldiers. He urged the military to focus on domain awareness, cyber resilience and information integrity to counter emerging threats. Singh described the security landscape as increasingly complex, with warfare extending beyond conventional border engagements to include asymmetric warfare, proxy wars, cyber‑attacks, drone swarms, information operations and narrative management. He praised the courage and dedication of the defence forces in the region, noting that the air warriors serve as a robust shield for the eastern sector and that their preparedness is essential for regional stability. The minister emphasized that discipline and courage remain indispensable, regardless of technological advances, and that the conduct of personnel shapes the military’s image among local communities. He encouraged soldiers to strengthen engagement with the local population around Bagdogra to weaken adversary conspiracies. Singh highlighted the growing contribution of Indian start‑ups and industries in developing drones, anti‑drone systems and advanced military equipment, and commended the forces for adopting indigenous technologies and acquiring new skills in drone operations and cyber security. He called for a technology‑driven military to address future security challenges. The minister extended Diwali greetings to the air warriors and their families, thanking them for their sacrifices and assuring the nation’s support for their well-being. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Bagdogra Air Commodore Manish Sharma and other senior IAF officials were present at the event. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.