Bastar, November 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with security personnel at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, and praised their courage and sacrifices in the fight against Naxalism.
The facility has served as a training centre and launchpad for anti-Naxal operations in the Bastar region and Abujhmad, once considered major strongholds of Maoist insurgency.
Addressing the personnel stationed at the base, Modi said that while millions of people across India and the world were celebrating Diwali with their families, he had chosen to spend the festival with security forces, whom he considers part of his own family.
“Today, millions of Indians are joyfully observing the revered festival of lights throughout the nation and across the globe. People are travelling from distant places to reunite with their families. This is a wonderful occasion for loved ones to come together and celebrate. I have also come here to join you in the Diwali festivities. Those who defend our nation at its borders and within, the protectors of our country and the courageous sons and daughters of Mother India, all of you are like family to me,” he said.
The Prime Minister credited the security personnel with bringing a major transformation to Bastar through their determination and sacrifices, saying the threat of Naxalism had been eliminated in the area and a new phase of development had begun.
“You are all members of my family. This time, I have arrived to celebrate Diwali in the Bastar forests. This is a territory where Naxalism used to be a significant threat. However, because of your sacrifice and commitment, that threat has been eliminated in this area, and a new era of development has started,” Modi said.
Describing this year’s Diwali as particularly significant, he said the country had reached a historic milestone in its decades-long fight against Maoist violence.
“After 40–50 years, a Diwali like this has come. This is the first Diwali when the nation has won its decades-long war against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali when every district of the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali when crores of countrymen have overcome the fear of Naxalism,” he said.
Modi called the achievement an extraordinary accomplishment and said a substantial share of the credit belonged to the security personnel who had fought against the insurgency.
“This is an incredible accomplishment, and a substantial amount of recognition should be attributed to you. It is a tribute to countless courageous individuals such as yourself, our soldiers and security forces. That is the reason I am here today to honour Diwali alongside you,” he added.
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