CM Mann pushes for stronger Punjab-Army ties; more Punjabis in Armed Forces

Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday, with discussions focusing on national security and military issues concerning the state, particularly the need to strengthen anti-drone capabilities to counter cross-border smuggling.

Mann called for greater coordination between the Punjab government and the Indian Army to safeguard the state and the country, strengthen the second line of defence along the international border, increase the recruitment of Punjabis in the Armed Forces and ensure the welfare of serving personnel and ex-servicemen, an official statement said.

“During his meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth in Chandigarh, the chief minister also discussed national security and military matters concerning Punjab, including the need to strengthen anti-drone measures to check cross-border smuggling,” the state government said.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, Mann said he held “meaningful discussions” with the Army Chief on national security and military matters related to Punjab.

“Our government is fully committed to the welfare of our brave soldiers and ex-servicemen who protect the nation,” Mann said.

Anti-drone capabilities along border discussed

Mann noted that Punjab shares a 532-km international border with Pakistan and stressed the importance of anti-drone technology and low-lying interceptive radars to combat cross-border smuggling.

“Punjab is the first state in India to install its own anti-drone technology,” the chief minister said.

The use of drones from across the international border for smuggling narcotics, weapons and other contraband has emerged as a major security concern for Punjab in recent years.

Mann sought the Army Chief’s support in augmenting the efforts of the Punjab Police, which he described as the second line of defence along the border.

The chief minister also highlighted Punjab’s contribution to the Armed Forces and said Punjabis have consistently remained at the forefront of protecting the country’s borders.

He said the state government was working to encourage greater recruitment into the Armed Forces with the support of institutions such as the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute.

Mann also told the Army Chief that the Punjab government had allocated 200 acres of prime land in Ropar to the Indian Army, which could be utilised to strengthen the defence sector.

Soldier welfare and military cooperation discussed

The meeting also covered measures for the welfare of serving personnel and ex-servicemen. Mann said the state government was providing employment opportunities to former military personnel through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO).

“The state government is giving jobs to ex-servicemen who have been employed by PESCO and are rendering marvellous services to people,” he said.

Assuring the Army of the state government’s full support and cooperation, Mann said Punjab had historically remained at the forefront of preserving the country’s unity and integrity and would continue that tradition.

The chief minister also thanked the Indian Army for assisting people in Punjab during emergencies, particularly during the recent floods.

“The Punjab government is fully committed to this noble cause, and no stone will be left unturned for it,” Mann said.

General Seth, meanwhile, assured the state government of the Indian Army’s commitment to nation-building and expressed appreciation for Punjab’s policies aimed at the welfare of veterans, according to the statement.

Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Ravi Bhagat, Special DGP PK Sinha, Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh and Colonel Jasdeep Sandhu, Advisor, Civil Military Affairs, were among those present at the meeting.