Chandigarh, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday called for closer cooperation between the state government and the Indian Army on border security, strengthening the second line of defence, increasing recruitment of Punjabis into the Armed Forces and ensuring the welfare of serving personnel and ex-servicemen.
Mann made the remarks during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth in Chandigarh. The discussions covered national security and military matters concerning Punjab, including measures to counter cross-border smuggling through drones.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Mann said the state government was fully committed to the welfare of soldiers and ex-servicemen who serve the country.
He said Punjab, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, required stronger anti-drone capabilities and low-lying interception radars to deal with cross-border smuggling. Mann said Punjab had become the first state in the country to install its own anti-drone technology and sought the Army chief’s support in further strengthening the efforts of the Punjab Police, which he described as the second line of defence.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s initiatives to improve recruitment of Punjabis into the Armed Forces. He said the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute and the network of C-Pyte centres were contributing to this effort.
On veterans’ welfare, Mann said the state government was providing jobs to ex-servicemen employed through Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO).
He also said the government had allocated 200 acres of prime land in Ropar to the Indian Army to support the defence sector. Mann highlighted the popularity of the retreat ceremonies at Wagah, Hussainiwala and Sadqi border points, which attract visitors from across the country and abroad.
Assuring full support to the Army, Mann said Punjab had historically remained at the forefront of protecting the country’s unity and integrity. He also thanked the Army for assisting the state during crises, including the recent floods.
General Seth reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to nation-building and expressed appreciation for the Punjab government’s policies supporting veterans.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Special DGP PK Sinha, Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM, Colonel Jasdeep Sandhu, Advisor, Civil-Military Affairs, and other officials.
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