How 300 Women Rebuilt The Bhuj Airstrip In Less Than Three Days In 1971 Indo-Pak War

Bhuj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met 21 courageous women out of the 300 who had rebuilt an Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip in just three days during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, at a public gathering in Bhuj, Gujarat.

During the 1971 India-Pakistan war, a squadron of Pakistani Air Force Sabre jets dropped nearly 14 bombs on an Indian Air Force runway in Bhuj, Kachchh, on December 8.

The attack severely damaged the airstrip, restricting the takeoff of Indian fighter jets.

In response, the Indian Air Force requested the Border Security Force to rebuild the airstrip, but time and labour constraints posed significant challenges.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, 300 women from nearby villages, driven by patriotism, stepped forward and took on the daunting challenge of rebuilding the runway in just 72 hours.

During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, a group of women of Bhuj played an essential role in defeating Pakistan by rebuilding the damaged Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip after Pakistani air strikes.

Kanbai Shivji Hirani, one of the women from that group, recalled her memories, experience and said, “It was not possible to build the runway soon, but we made it possible by rebuilding it, as it was a matter of the country... When we won the war, we were very happy. Today, what Pakistan has done (in Pahalgam) is very wrong. PM Modi should take action on this, stop the water and food supply to Pakistan. The only way they will understand things is to stop it.”

PM Modi takes blessings of women who repaired IAF airstrip in 1971 war

During a public address in Kachchh's Bhuj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Pakistan saying the country was rattled seeing India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack after Operation Sindoor.

PM Modi received the blessings of women who rebuilt the IAF airstrip, destroyed after Pakistan's attack during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

“PM Modi Pakistan was rattled after India's response. They sent in drones to the regions along the border, including in Kachchh… The brave women of Kachchh defeated Pakistan's propaganda when they repaired the Bhuj runway in 72 hours during the 1971 war… Those women came to me and blessed me, and they also gifted me a sindoor plant. It will be planted in the PM House,” PM Modi said.

Speaking further PM Modi said that India's policy against terrorism is crystal clear which is zero tolerance adding whoever will make us bleed will get a similar response, no one will be spared.

"Our policy against terrorism is that of zero-tolerance. Operation Sindoor made our policy crystal clear. Whoever will make us bleed will see a similar response. At no cost will they be spared. Operation Sindoor is a mission to save humanity and end terrorism... We waited for 15 days to see if Pakistan would take any steps against terrorism, but probably, terrorism is their bread and butter. When they did nothing, I gave our armed forces a free hand...," he said.

"... sukh chain ki zindagi jiyo, roti khao, warna meri goli to hai hi...," said PM Modi in a direct message to Pakistan adding, “The people of Pakistan need to come forward to get their country rid of terrorism. Their youth will have to come forward...”

The Prime Minister said that India's response under Operation Sindoor was so strong that Pakistani airbases are now under the ICU as he lauded the capability of Indian Armed Forces.

“Our retaliation was so strong that their airbases are still in ICU... It was the valour and bravery of our forces that Pakistan waved the white flag... We had already told them, our target was your terror infrastructure; all you had to do was stay quiet. Now that you made a mistake, you have to deal with the consequences,” he said.

Speaking further PM Modi said that India believes in tourism. Tourism brings people together. But a country like Pakistan thinks terrorism is tourism. This is a big threat for the world.

During his visit to Kachchh, the Prime Minister also inaugurated development projects worth more than Rs 50,000 crores. 

Inaugurating several crores worth of projects in Gujarat, PM Modi said, “There was a time when the whole of Gujarat would not see such a huge project announcement, and now a district will benefit from such a huge development work. This project will help make India a blue economy of the world, and also a centre of green energy. I congratulate all of you."

“... My relationship with Kachchh has been an old one... People of Kachchh and their self-confidence have always guided me... When the water of Narmada reached Kachchh for the first time, that day was no less than Diwali for Kachchh, and it was an unprecedented celebration... Fortunately, you all gave me a chance to be the reason for this to happen.”