Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Bagdogra on Saturday asked the armed forces to keep operational readiness at the highest level, with special focus on domain awareness, cyber resilience and information integrity. He was speaking to Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Air Force Station Bagdogra in West Bengal, where he spent the eve of Diwali with the Air Warriors.

War is no longer fought only along the borders, he said. It now takes in asymmetric warfare, proxy wars, cyber attacks, drone swarms, information operations and narrative management.

"Often, the adversary avoids direct confrontation and instead seeks to exploit our vulnerabilities. Through social media, the adversary may attempt to sow doubt in the minds of the local population and our soldiers by spreading misleading information. In such a scenario, your role extends beyond that of an ordinary soldier," the Defence Minister said.

Rajnath Singh at Bagdogra also called the Union Cabinet's approval of a Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers a Diwali gift for the young soldiers.

Rajnath Singh at Bagdogra stresses discipline and local trust

Discipline and courage stay indispensable however much technology changes, Singh told the gathering. According to the Defence Minister, the conduct, bearing, language and restraint of personnel shape how local communities see the military.

He praised the Air Warriors for carrying out their duties with these qualities and urged them to build closer ties with people living in and around Bagdogra. The bond of trust and affection between citizens and the forces, he said, needs to be nurtured.

"The more you engage with the local community, the weaker the adversary's conspiracies will become," Singh said.

Air Warriors at Bagdogra form a shield for the eastern sector

Singh described Bagdogra as a strategically important region and a crucial link in India's security framework, particularly for the North-Eastern region. He commended the courage and dedication of the personnel in safeguarding national interests. The Air Warriors posted here, he said, serve as a robust shield for the security of the eastern sector, and their preparedness is fundamental to keeping the region stable.

The air base lies close to Siliguri, on the narrow stretch of land often called the Siliguri Corridor, which links the North-Eastern states with the rest of the country.

Nepal and Bangladesh sit on either side of the corridor, with Bhutan a short distance to the north. Bagdogra airport, which runs as a civil enclave at the air station, is the main air gateway for Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Drones and anti-drone systems from Indian start-ups

Reaffirming the Government's resolve to achieve Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Singh pointed to the growing role of Indian start-ups and industry in building drones, anti-drone systems and advanced military equipment.

He appreciated the forces for taking up indigenous technology and for picking up new skills in drone operations and cyber security. The military, he said, must become more and more technology-driven to meet future security challenges. The IAF has been working with drone makers on this front. Last month it briefed around 100 firms, MSMEs and start-ups on its unmanned systems roadmap at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Second Tour of Duty a Diwali gift for Agniveers, says Defence Minister

Referring to the Cabinet decision on the Second Tour of Duty, Singh said it would give Agniveers another opportunity to serve the nation.

When the two-year engagement ends, all Agniveers will get a chance to be enrolled as regular soldiers, subject to their willingness and to meeting the selection criteria, he said. He termed the decision a Diwali gift for Agniveers and reiterated the Government's commitment to the welfare of service personnel and their families.

Cabinet cleared the extension for 75 percent of Agniveers on Wednesday

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the change on Wednesday. Under the Agnipath scheme, introduced in June 2022, Agniveers join for four years and up to 25 percent are retained in the regular cadre on merit. The remaining 75 percent, who were due to leave after four years, will now be offered two more years in uniform if they wish to stay.

The decision came as the first batch nears the end of its four-year term, with around 18,000 Agniveers due to leave by the end of this year.

Defence Minister thanks families of Air Warriors on Diwali

Singh extended Diwali greetings and wished the Air Warriors and their families good health, happiness and prosperity. Though away from home during the festival, the personnel remain steadfast in keeping their fellow citizens safe, he said. He thanked their families for their sacrifices and contributions, and said that while soldiers stand guard at the borders, the nation will always stand by their families and ensure their well-being, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who took over as Chief on October 31, was present along with Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Bagdogra, Air Commodore Manish Sharma, and other senior officials of the IAF.