India on Monday celebrated its 70th Independence Day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering his longest-ever address to the nation from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort in Delhi.

Yet it was a broadside against Pakistan that left the strongest impression in a speech that otherwise skirted foreign affairs and focused on his government's own achievements.

The tradition of delivering the annual address from the steps of the 17th-century Red Fort from where Mughal kings ruled Delhi for two centuries dates back to Jawaharlal Nehru's historic “tryst with destiny” speech of 1947.

Meanwhile in Srinagar, a police paramilitary commander was shot dead and at least two suspected militants were killed in gun battles as violence flared despite imposition of a curfew.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses the nation from the historic Red Fort, during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, India. ─ Reuters

IHK Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti waves during celebrations marking Independence Day at The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. — AFP

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant Sudeep (5R) presents sweets to Pakistani Superintendent of Rangers Ashraf (3L) during a ceremony to celebrate India's Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

Indian army troops take position inside a building after a gunfight in Srinagar on August 15, 2016. — AFP

Supporters of All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC) chant slogans as they burn a homemade Indian flag, during a protest to mark India's Independence Day as a 'black day' in Islamabad, Pakistan, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters

Smoke rises as unseen members of a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) conduct a controlled explosion of a handgrenade after a gunfight in Srinagar on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

Indian schoolchildren dressed in the Indian national colours perform a routine during Independence Day celebrations in Shimla on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

Muslims hold pigeons during a march to celebrate India’s Independence Day in Ahmedabad, India, 2016. ─ Reuters

Indian Army personnel pose for a "selfie" after Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi, 2016 — AFP

Schoolchildren perform during the India's Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters

A cadet from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) shouts commands at a parade during India's Independence Day celebrations in Agartala, India, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters

Indian school children carry a long national flag through a street during Independence Day celebrations in Hyderabad, India, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. ─ AP

Policemen perform a daredevil stunt during India's Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, IHK, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. ─ AP

Indian Reserve Police (IRP) personnel take part in celebrations marking Independence Day at The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on, 2016 — AFP

Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers and their dogs salute during India Independence Day celebrations at Dimapur on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

Indian paramilitary soldiers march at a parade during country's Independence Day celebrations in Agartala, India, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters

National Cadet Corps(NCC) students march during Indian Independence Day celebrations at Saint Francis Girls High School in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

A police motorcyclist rides through a burning hoop and a wall of glass tubes during an Independence Day event at The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on August 15, 2016. ─ AFP

People look at balloons released during a march to celebrate India’s Independence Day in Ahmedabad, India, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters

Uttar Pradesh state officers hold umbrellas as it rains during the national flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day in Lucknow, India, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. ─ AP

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier looks on during a celebrations marking Independence Day at The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar , 2016. — AFP

Participants share a moment after performing at a cultural program during India's Independence Day celebrations in Ajmer, in the desert state of Rajasthan, India, August 15, 2016. ─ Reuters