Chandigarh, Aug. 11 -- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, during his meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth in Chandigarh on Monday, called for stronger cooperation between the state government and the army to safeguard the state and the nation, strengthen the second line of defence along the border, boost the recruitment of Punjabis into the armed forces and ensure the welfare of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen.

The CM also discussed national security and military matters concerning Punjab, including the need to strengthen anti-drone measures to check cross-border smuggling. Mann stated on X that the government was fully committed to the welfare of soldiers and ex-servicemen.

"Punjabis have always been at the ...