Defence Forces Must Maintain Highest Operational Readiness to Counter Asymmetric Threats: Raksha Mantri at Bagdogra

KOCHI: Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri) Rajnath Singh called upon the Defence Forces to maintain the highest level of operational readiness, focusing specifically on domain awareness, cyber resilience, and information integrity. Interacting with Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel on the eve of Diwali at Air Force Station, Bagdogra, West Bengal, on November 07, 2026, he emphasized that the modern security landscape extends beyond conventional borders to encompass asymmetric warfare, proxy conflicts, cyber-attacks, drone swarms, and narrative management.

Describing Air Force Station, Bagdogra as a crucial link in India’s security framework for the North-Eastern region, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the Air Warriors as a robust shield for the eastern sector. He urged the personnel to strengthen community engagement to counter adversaries’ social media disinformation and narrative exploitation. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he highlighted the integration of indigenous drones, anti-drone systems, and cyber technologies into military operations. Additionally, he highlighted the Cabinet’s approval of the ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers—enabling willing and eligible Agniveers to enrol as regular soldiers after their two-year engagement—as a landmark Diwali gift for defense personnel. Present at the event were Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Bagdogra, Air Commodore Manish Sharma.