Union Defence Minister on Saturday said India is trying to build preparedness of armed forces to tackle any situation along the Pakistan and Chinese border.
"We are trying our best to be prepared for everything. You have to assume the worst and hope for the best," Parrikar told media persons here this morning at a function to distribute Republic Day awards.
The Defence Minister termed the Tral encounter as unfortunate.
"It was an unfortunate incident. My instruction to the Army is very clear, as far as possible; ensure that you do not lose any Officers or men from your side. That should be the first constraint," he said.
Colonel M.N. Rai had lost his life fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral on Tuesday, just one day after being awarded the Yudh Seva gallantry medal as part of the Republic Day celebrations. He was martyred along with one policeman Head Constable Sanjeev Singh, of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Operations Group in an encounter with Hizbul-Mujahideen terrorists.Two terrorists were killed in the encounter.