'Bharat Shakti': Pokhran witness to trinity of India's 'aatmanirbharta', belief, self-pride, says PM
Pokhran (PTI): Homegrown aircraft roared in the air while indigenously built battle tanks and artillery guns spewed fire dominating the arid terrain of Pokhran during a mega exercise on Tuesday, but perhaps the loudest roar was of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' marching ahead on the path of self-reliance in defence.
As awestruck spectators watched the 'Bharat Shakti' exercise in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India's 'aatmanirbharta', belief and self-pride.
Roars of LCA Tejas and ALH Mk-IV filled the air while Main Battle Tank Arjun, K-9 Vajra, and T-90 Bhishma tanks, and Dhanush and Sharang artillery gun systems ruled the firing ranges on the ground. Pinaka rocket system in action drew huge cheers from the crowd.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also attended the nearly 50-minute tri-services firepower and manoeuvre exercise, a first-of-its-kind on such a scale.
The spectators also included several foreign service attaches from different countries, local civilians and defence personnel and some lawmakers of the region.
The exercise showcased India's military prowess and integrated multi-domain operations of the three services and the "shock and awe" impact that the armed forces seek to achieve in an operational situation with manoeuvre and fighting capabilities.
However, a Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) of the Indian Air Force crashed near a residential colony in Jaisalmer while returning from the exercise in the first accident involving the indigenously-built single-engine jet since it began flying in 2001. There was no casualty.
The pilot ejected safely and a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said in a brief statement.
The crash took place around 100 km from the Pokhran desert where the exercise 'Bharat Shakti' witnessed by Modi and top military brass was underway.
LCH Prachand, mobile anti-drone system, BMP-II and its variants, a swarm of drones also wowed the audience with their precision striking capabilities during the exercise.
In his address on the occasion, Modi said, "The roar of aircraft mid-air, and valour displayed on ground during Bharat Shakti exercise is the call of a 'new India' (naye Bharat ka aavhan hai)".
He recalled that it was at Pokhran that India's nuclear test was conducted in the past.
"This is Pokhran, which witnessed India's nuclear power, and today here we are also seeing the strength of 'Swadeshikaran se Sashaktikaran' (from indigenisation to empowerment).
"Today, this celebration of Bharat Shakti is taking place in Rajasthan, the land of bravery, but its echo is being heard not only in India but in the whole world," he said.
The prime minister also visited the area where a static display of equipment and platforms was kept near the site of the live demonstration.
A tethered drone system and robotic mule system, among other cutting-edge platforms, were also displayed in the exhibition area.
The prime minister highlighted India's "twin messages of peace and power through his avatar as a 'Shantidoot' during his visit to Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad in the morning and thereafter his transformation as a 'Shaktidoot' in Pokhran", a senior official said.
Besides firepower and ammunition, logistic capabilities for transporting equipment and evacuation of injured and casualties using the latest technologies were also demonstrated as a Chetak helicopter performed the manoeuvre drawing applause from the crowd.
Gen Pande, in his brief address, said, "For capable armed forces to be 'atmanirbhar', it is not only limited to equipment or platforms, but it is also important for self-sufficiency in a war and its preparations, other resources and critical technology".
This first-of-its-kind exercise on such a scale is "not tailored towards any direction (northern or western border) or any adversaries", sources in the defence establishment said.
"In a clear indication of India's readiness to confront and overcome contemporary and future challenges with home-grown solutions, 'Bharat Shakti' highlights resilience, innovation and strength of India's domestic defence capabilities on the global stage," the Prime Minister's Office had said on Sunday.
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Katie L Thomen, assistant army attache at the US Embassy in New Delhi also attended the exercise.
"I thought it was great, it shows where the defence industry has come in India in the last few years, and it is a good thing. I think India is one of the most important relationships for the US in the Indo-Pacific region, which is one of the most influential regions in the world," she told PTI after the end of the exercise.
The exercise at Pokhran also showcased systems and platforms integrated with artificial intelligence (AI).
Maal Singh (48), a local resident of Pokhran attended the event dressed in a traditional Rajasthani costume.
"I earlier served in an infantry unit of the Army but took voluntary retirement. In our times, we had to get so many military assets imported. But today I saw so many Indian aircraft and platforms on display. It was a great experience," he told PTI.
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MP minister's veiled remark on Col Sofia Qureshi sparks major row; he apologises, Cong seeks ouster
Bhopal/Indore, May 13 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Col Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a "sister of terrorists."
Under severe flak, Shah said if anyone is hurt by his statement, he is ready to apologise ten times, adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.
The Congress has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.
Colonel Qureshi had conducted regular press briefings, sharing details of the 'Operation Sindoor' launched by Indian armed forces to strike terrorists, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
"Those people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters (in the Pahalgam terror attack)..We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them," Shah said.
"They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists') sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson", the BJP leader said while addressing a gathering in Ramkunda village near Indore.
He said, "Revenge was taken for the honour of our country (India), respect, and for the (slain) husbands of our sisters by sending a sister from your (terrorists') community to Pakistan".
The tribal welfare minister clarified that his remarks should not be construed otherwise.
Shah's remarks drew wide-scale condemnation, with Congress demanding his immediate dismissal from the MP cabinet.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Shah, who made 'derogatory' remarks in reference to Colonel Sofia Qureshi, should be dismissed immediately.
"A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire 'Operation Sindoor' to give a befitting reply to the terrorists," Kharge posted on X.
He alleged that the BJP-RSS harbours an anti-women mentality.
"First, the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam was trolled on social media, then the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was harassed, and now the BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our brave woman Sophia Qureshi," Kharge said and appealed to PM Modi to immediately sack Shah.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari shared the video of Shah on X and asked whether the BJP agrees with the minister's "low thinking"?
The MP Congress Committee alleged that Shah's "indecent' and hate-filled" statement is not just a personal attack, but an open attack on India's military dignity, national unity, and women's honour.
Amid the raging controversy, the BJP's Madhya Pradesh general secretary Hitanand Sharma summoned Shah to the state headquarters in Bhopal.
According to sources, Sharma reprimanded the minister, who also met the state BJP president, Vishnu Dutt Sharma.
Speaking to reporters, Shah sought to attribute the intemperate remarks to his "disturbed" state of mind in view of the brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam by terrorists.
He claimed many members of his family have a military background and many were martyred.
"Sister Sophia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation.
"We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manoj Shukla and the party workers blackened the nameplate of Shah at his bungalow and raised slogans seeking his resignation.
'हमारी सेना की जांबाज बेटियां आतंकवादियों की बहन हैं'
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 13, 2025
- ये घटिया बात मध्य प्रदेश में BJP सरकार के मंत्री विजय शाह ने कही है।
भारत की जिन बेटियों पर सबको नाज है, उन बेटियों को लेकर ये शर्मनाक बयान दिया गया है। उन्हें आतंकवादियों की बहन बताया गया है।
ये हमारी पराक्रमी सेना का… pic.twitter.com/y591M3ky8G
