PM Modi hails Indian Army's bravery, equates surgical strikes with Israel's exploits

Hailing the valour of the Indian Army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the surgical strikes against terror launch pads last month have shown they are no less than anybody. 

Modi likened the army's operation to Israel's exploits, which is known for its targeted military strikes against enemy countries and militant outfits. 

"Everyone is talking about our Army, we used to hear about similar feats of Israel. But now everyone knows the Indian Army is no less," he said while addressing a rally in the poll-bound northern state of Himachal Pradesh. 

Modi dismissed allegations that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had taken the issue of surgical strikes to the masses for political benefits. He refuted the charge saying it was only to boost the army's morale. 

The prime minister underscored his commitment to the welfare of the armed forces, saying his government had succeeded in fulfilling the promise of "One-Rank, One-Pension" for ex-servicemen, after a wait of over 40 years for their rights.  

The OROP scheme was a long standing demand of the Indian Armed Forces for pay-pension equity on the concept of "same pension, for same rank, for same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement".

Modi said his government had already released the first of the four installments to execute the scheme. 

In Mandi to launch three hydro-power projects, Modi described the state as the land of bravehearts and said there is a tradition of joining Army in every family. 

Himachal Pradesh is scheduled to go to election next year along with his home state of Gujarat, in western India. 

(WION with inputs from agencies)