'First Line Of Defence': LG Hails Border Villagers' Grit During Op Sindoor

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday hailed the unwavering courage and resilience of residents living along the International Border, calling them the“first line of defence” during a visit to the border village of Changiya in Arnia sector of Jammu.
Addressing a public gathering and paying obeisance at the sacred Daati Maa Dev Sthan of the Mahajan Phagetra Biradari, the LG commended the role played by the border communities during Operation Sindoor, when Indian armed forces carried out retaliatory strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
“The people of border areas stood firm in the face of adversity during Operation Sindoor. Their resilience reflects the true spirit of patriotism. Border areas are not just geographical ends-they are the soul of our national security,” Sinha said.
Reaffirming the Centre's commitment to inclusive development, the LG emphasized that the Vibrant Villages Programme would be extended to border villages in the region starting this year.
“We will ensure that the villages of this sector are taken up under the Vibrant Villages Programme from this year. Detailed instructions will be issued to prioritize the development of these areas,” he announced.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Sinha noted that no resident of India's borders should feel left behind.
“PM Modi always says that border residents should never feel they lack any facilities compared to people in other parts of the country. The Government of India has launched a special initiative to develop our border villages as hubs of growth and opportunity,” he said.
Responding to public demands during the visit, LG Sinha assured that the sacred Daati Maa Dev Sthan would be brought onto Jammu and Kashmir's religious tourism map. He also pledged to promote Suchetgarh and its surrounding areas as part of both general and pilgrimage tourism circuits.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged citizens to pray for the successful completion of the Amarnath Yatra, which began on Thursday, and called for collective efforts to shape a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
“The collective effort of our citizens, especially those living in the most challenging terrains, will shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Together, let us move forward with hope and determination,” LG Sinha said.

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