Lucknow, May 11 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan-backed terrorism, calling it a threat that understands only the language of force.

During inauguration of the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility at the Lucknow node of the UP Defence Corridor, while comparing terrorism with a dog's crooked tail, the CM said that it can never be straightened.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said India has sent a clear message to the world that terrorism will be met with decisive action.

He said, "Time has come for everyone to unite under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to crush terrorism with one voice."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined the event virtually and together with CM Yogi launched the BrahMos unit by pressing a button. During the event, a publication related to defence production, titled 'Brahmand', was also released.

Yogi praised the bravery of India's armed forces and lauded the leadership of PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Congratulating the people of UP, he said the success of Operation Sindoor was a result of the joint strength of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He said, "The world saw what BrahMos can do during Operation Sindoor. And if anyone still has doubts, they should ask the people in Pakistan what the missile is capable of."

He said that PM Modi has made it clear that every terrorist act will now be treated as an act of war. "Terrorism will not end unless we crush it completely," he stressed.

He highlighted the importance of self-reliance in defence production, pointing out that a truly self-sufficient nation must not depend on others for its security needs.

He cited Israel as a model of self-reliance in defence, noting how it has deterred hostile neighbours through strength and preparedness.

The CM said the BrahMos project, and the Defence Corridor reflect the broader vision laid out by PM Modi in 2014. "I am confident that the path India is on will lead to great achievements," he said.

He recalled that it was in Lucknow where PM Modi first announced the location of one of the two defence corridors declared in the 2018 Union Budget. "UP was allotted six nodes for the corridor, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi and Chitrakoot," he said.

Highlighting past milestones, Yogi recalled that after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power at the Centre in 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh organised the first-ever Defence Expo in Lucknow in 2020, where the decision to set up the BrahMos production unit was made.

He said, "Work is progressing rapidly across all six defence nodes in the state. Earlier, we inaugurated an ammunition production centre for the armed forces in Kanpur and now there's growing demand for its expansion."

The CM said that once 200 acres were allotted for the BrahMos project in Lucknow, PTC swiftly stepped in, initiating not just missile-related work but also a range of aerospace manufacturing activities. "Currently, around seven anchor units related to BrahMos are being set up in the city," he said.

He further said that compared to 2013–14, India's defence production and exports have increased several hundred times. "Along with achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, India is now also fulfilling the security needs of many friendly nations by exporting defence equipment to them," he said.

Yogi said that UP is making steady progress toward its target of Rs 50,000 crore in investments and one lakh jobs through the Defence Manufacturing Corridor. "So far, 57 MoUs (memorandums of understanding) signed during Defence Expos and related events have attracted expected investments of Rs 30,000 crore in the defence sector alone. We are well on track to provide employment to nearly 60,000 youth," he said.

He expressed gratitude to BrahMos, PTC, DRDO, L&T, and other organisations that are not only setting up units but also training and hiring local youths.

He contrasted the current progress with the situation before 2017, when jobs were scarce, and migration from the state was common. "Today, investments are coming in, and MSME units are forming a strong foundation as anchor units," he said.

He further said, "Earlier, industries were hesitant to come to UP due to lack of clear policies and safety concerns. When people are not safe, how can the capital be safe?" he said.

He said that today both people and capital are secure in the state and that UP is progressing confidently to meet the nation's defence needs. He also pointed out the strong infrastructure now available, from DRDO's centre to the presence of BrahMos and PTC as anchor units, as proof that UP is emerging as a key engine of growth in India's defence manufacturing sector.

The CM said, "UP stands firmly in support of making India self-reliant in defence production. The state government will continue to provide full support, including land, for future DRDO and BrahMos projects."

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