Surgical strikes anniversary: Parrikar praises soldiers

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Saturday congratulated soldiers on the second anniversary of the surgical strikes carried out in 2016 to smash terror camps operating from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Parrikar, who is currently in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment, tweeted that such military actions were necessary for national security.

"There are times when military actions are necessary for national security. The Indian Armed Forces possess strong capabilities to execute missions in tough terrains. I salute our brave soldiers who are always ready to protect the country," Parrikar tweeted Saturday.

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 Centre had announced last week that various events will be held from September 28 to 30, as part of Parakram Parv, to commemorate the valour of soldiers.

The state BJP in its executive committee meeting congratulated Parrikar, who was Defence Minister during the strike, for his role in the mission, Goa BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar said.