Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India is ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain its honour and dignity.

Citing the example of the Russia-Ukraine war, Singh said the war has been going on for more than a year because civilians have stepped up and are participating in the war.

“We were backstabbed by Pakistan… The war was imposed on India. I salute our brave sons who put the country first and sacrificed their lives,” Singh said while speaking at the Kargil War Memorial on the occasion of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dras, Ladakh.

He also called upon civilians to be ready to support the soldiers in such a situation.

“Whenever there has been a war situation, our public has always supported the forces, but that support has been indirect. I urge the public to be ready to support the soldiers directly in the battlefield if the need arises,” he further said.

“We can go to any extreme to maintain the honour and dignity of the country… If that includes crossing the LoC, we are ready to do that,” the Minister added.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to mark India’s victory over the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.