Rajnath Singh to Bolster Troop Morale at Bhuj Airbase Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to visit the Bhuj Airbase in Gujarat on Friday to engage with Indian Air Force personnel, a move aimed at uplifting spirits following the recent Operation Sindoor. The operation, a retaliatory strike against terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

Singh’s visit comes on the heels of his trip to Srinagar, where he met with troops at Badami Bagh Cantonment. There, he commended the armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps and eliminated over 100 terrorists, according to the defence ministry. He also paid tribute to civilians killed in the Pahalgam attack and soldiers who lost their lives during the operation, while wishing a swift recovery to the injured.

The Bhuj Airbase, a key facility under the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command, played a significant role in Operation Sindoor, which was orchestrated by Air Marshal Jeetendra Chaudhry in coordination with the Chief of Air Staff. The visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent inspection of the Adampur Airbase in Punjab, where he was briefed by air force officials and interacted with personnel involved in the operation.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam attack, prompting India’s precision strikes on May 7. Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Indian military sites, including Bhuj, but these were thwarted by India’s advanced air defence systems, the defence ministry confirmed. A ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10, marking the sixth day of de-escalation as of Friday.

Singh’s two-day visit will also include a tour of the India-Pakistan border region, a critical area given its proximity to the Bhuj Airbase, which houses the 27 Wing and is vital for air defence and surveillance. The defence minister recently chaired a security review meeting in New Delhi, focusing on the western border, attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Army and Navy Chiefs, and senior officials.

Operation Sindoor has been hailed as a testament to India’s military precision and technological prowess, with the defence ministry emphasizing its success in neutralizing terrorist targets without crossing borders. The operation also countered Pakistan’s misinformation campaigns, with Indian cyber experts and officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, debunking false claims.