Rajnath to celebrate Dussehra with Army jawans in high-altitude area in Sikkim

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will celebrate Dussehra with Army soldiers in a high-altitude border area in Sikkim and perform 'Shastra Puja' (worship of weapons) on occasion on Sunday, government sources said.

defence minister's decision to celebrate Dussehra with Army soldiers in border area in Sikkim sector of Line of Actual Control (LAC) comes in midst of India's border row with China in eastern Lakh.

Sources said defence minister will travel to Sikkim on Saturday afteron for a two-day visit, during which he will visit a number of border posts of Indian Army besides inaugurating a few infrastructure projects.

defence minister will spend Saturday night with Army soldiers to celebrate Dussehra. On Sunday, he will perform 'shastra puja' re,said a source. defence minister h performed 'Shastra Puja' in French port city of Bordeaux during Dussehra last year as he was on a bilateral visit to country n.Singh has been performing 'Shastra Puja' during Dussehra for last several years, including during his tenure as Union Home Minister in previous NDA government.

His visit to Sikkim to celebrate Dussehra will be a morale booster for soldiers, said an official.

Almost all formations of Indian Army along LAC are on a very high level of alert in view of border row with China in eastern Lakh.India and China are locked in an over five-month-long bitter border standoff in eastern Lakh that has significantly strained ir ties. Both sides held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve row.

However, breakthrough has been achieved to end standoff.

(IM CREDITS:PTI)