MANDI: In continuation of the series of Tiranga Yatra rallies being organised by the BJP across Himachal Pradesh to honour the valour and sacrifices of the Indian armed forces, a grand rally was held in Mandi on Friday.
The event witnessed enthusiastic public participation and patriotic fervour, aiming to pay tribute to the courage of Indian soldiers and highlight the recent success of Operation Sindoor, India’s strong military response following the Pahalgam massacre.
Speaking from the historic Seri Ground, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur addressed a large gathering, stating that Operation Sindoor was a long-awaited reply to Pakistan, which had given shelter to terrorists who brutally killed unarmed Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam after asking their religion.
“If the terrorists attacked after identifying religion, India replied by judging their deeds. This was not revenge driven by emotion, but a calculated and decisive military response,” he said.
Thakur emphasised that this was the first time the world had witnessed how India executed a swift and precise military strike within 25 minutes of the Pahalgam attack, targeting nine specific terror launchpads inside Pakistan-occupied territory. These were not attacks on civilians, but focused strikes on locations from where terrorists infiltrated into India. More than 100 terrorists were eliminated in the operation, he added.
Following the operation, a panicked Pakistan attempted to retaliate through drone and missile attacks, but the Indian Air Force intercepted and destroyed them mid-air. “Our airstrikes also destroyed several Pakistani military installations and airbases,” Thakur said. “Pakistan, fearing global isolation, began appealing for international mediation and proposed a ceasefire – which India accepted, but strictly on its own terms.”
The Tiranga Rally, he said, was not a political gathering but a show of national unity and gratitude toward the Indian Army. “This is a tribute to the unmatched courage of our soldiers, the historic success of Operation Sindoor, and the supreme sacrifice of our bravehearts,” Thakur said.
Joining Thakur on stage were several prominent figures including retired Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Kargil war hero Brigadier Khushal Thakur, MLAs Anil Sharma, Rakesh Jamwal, Vinod Kumar, Inder Singh Gandhi, Puran Chand, Deepraj, Dalip Thakur, BJP Mandi district president Nihal Chand, former MLA Heera Lal, BJP state spokesperson Ajay Rana, state vice-president Payal Vaidya and BJP state media co-in-charge Rajat Thakur.
Munish Sood
