Ensured minimum loss of life at borders as Defence Minister: Manohar Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday asserted that during his stint as the defence minister he had always tried to ensure minimum lives were lost at the border.

Addressing a gathering during a prize distribution ceremony of the JK Cement Swachh ability run here, Parrikar said that he always instructed soldiers in the Indian Armed Forces to kill the enemy, instead of getting killed.

"We cannot forget their contribution in protecting our borders. As a defence minister, I was also trying to ensure that minimum life is lost. I told soldiers-martyrdom is great and sacrifice for nation is must but it doesn't mean you get killed when you go fighting, kill your enemy," he said.

Parrikar became the Minister of Defence replacing Arun Jaitley in November 2014 and held the post till March 2017, after which he resigned to serve as the Chief Minister of Goa.

-ANI