Prime Minister Modi celebrates Diwali with the security forces in Bastar,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, which served as the training base and launch pad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, to celebrate Diwali with the security forces. Addressing the jawans on the occasion as crores of Indians across the nation and the world celebrate the sacred festival of lights with their loved ones, the Prime Minister recalled his memorable Diwali celebrations with brave soldiers from Kargil and Lepcha in the Himalayas to Sir Creek on the coast and aboard INS Vikrant in the ocean. “At the borders and within the country, the sentinels of the nation who protect the country, the brave sons of Maa Bharati, all of you are my loved ones, all of you are a part of my family,” remarked Shri Modi.
Describing the 2026 Diwali as truly special because it marks the first festival of lights after India won its decades-old battle against Maoist terror, rendered every district Naxal-free, and enabled crores of citizens to overcome fear, the Prime Minister explained that he had come to Bastar to celebrate this extraordinary milestone with the lakhs of security personnel who made it possible and to convey the gratitude of 140 crore citizens. “Today I have come to express gratitude towards your sacrifice, dedication, and spirit of service,” affirmed PM Modi.
Quoting the ancient Sanskrit wisdom ‘Aabhyantaram Bhayam Rakshyam, Asaaram Baahyato Bhayam’ to explain that external enemies cannot harm a nation whose internal security is strong but raise their heads when internal security weakens, the Prime Minister equated the internal role of security forces with that of the armed forces at the borders and lauded the boundless sacrifices of personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, Bastar Fighters commandos, and women fighters, while also extending festive greetings to soldiers guarding the nation’s frontiers. “This country is indebted to you for your services, and crores of countrymen are proud of you,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Recalling the grim era when Left-Wing Extremism gripped over 230 districts across nearly 20 states including Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where evening curfews of fear prevailed, voting rights were snatched, up to 2,000 annual attacks occurred, over 1,000 personnel laid down their lives in Chhattisgarh alone, countless soldiers lost limbs to IED blasts, and 76 CRPF personnel and 44 innocent civilians were killed in separate 2010 Dantewada attacks, the Prime Minister pointed out that between 2004 and 2013 more security personnel were martyred annually than Naxals killed, emboldening Maoist leaders.(UPDATED ON 8TH NOVEMBER 2026)
