Sending out a stern warning to the neighbouring Pakistan Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday said Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
He also hit out at the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, over his remarks on India.
Noting that Pakistan has not stopped destabilising India and has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 Singh also cautioned Pakistan to dismantle all the existing 'terrorist training camps operating from PoK.
Addressing a gathering of veteran soldiers on the occasion of the 9th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day programme at Tanda Artillery Brigade, Akhnoor, the Defence Minister described PoK as the crown jewel of India, which is nothing more than a foreign territory to Pakistan. He said, “J&K is incomplete without PoK. The people living there are being deprived of a dignified life. Efforts are being made by Pakistan to mislead and provoke them against India in the name of religion. PoK’s land is being used for terrorism. Training camps for terrorists are running and launch pads have been built in the areas adjacent to the border. The Indian government is well aware of the situation. Pakistan will have to put an end to its nefarious designs.”
Referring to the glorious history of the Indian army, Rajnath Singh said, "2025 is the diamond jubilee year of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and India’s victory was the result of the valour & sacrifice of the Armed Forces. “Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India, whether it was the attack in 1948, the war of 1965, the war of 1971 or the Kargil war of 1999. Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 and has tried to influence the local population in J&K.
"Our Muslim brothers have sacrificed their lives fighting against terrorism. Even today, more than 80% of the terrorists entering India are from Pakistan. Cross-border terrorism would have ended in 1965 itself, but the then central government was unable to convert the tactical advantage gained in the war into a strategic advantage,” he said. The situation on the ground has significantly improved since the abrogation of Article 370,” he added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also reiterated the government’s top priority is bridging the gap between Kashmir and the rest of India.
"Kashmir was treated differently (by previous governments) in the past as a result our brothers and sisters in the region could not get connected with Delhi as it should have been. I do not want to go into the past as our government's biggest achievement is that we have been working to bridge 'dil ki duri' (distance between hearts) between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
"I congratulate Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for taking the right steps to help overcome the little bit of gap (which is still there)," the defence minister said.
The event was also attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan; General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar and other civil and military officers.
During his visit to Akhnoor, Rajnath Singh inaugurated a heritage museum and also hoisted a 108-foot national flag.
The museum showcases weapons used in various wars in J-K and sculptures of war heroes. Certain mobility equipment in terms of Motorised Wheelchairs, Tri Scooters, Scooters and Auto Rickshaws were handed over to the ex-servicemen on the occasion. More than 40 stalls/help desks of various Records Offices, Defence & Government Welfare Organisations, Banks & Employment Agencies were established at the venue for in-situ grievance redressal and awareness.
The Defence Minister also interacted with the ex-servicemen and expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces personnel, both retired & serving, for their selfless service towards protecting the borders with unmatched bravery, dedication, sacrifice and patriotism.
