J&K close to our hearts: Rajnath Singh

‘PoK crown jewel of India’
Jammu: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the BJP government at the Centre treats Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir equally.
Addressing the ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day programme at Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor, the Defence Minister praised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his effort to reduce the distance between the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi and asserted that the BJP government treats Delhi and Kashmir equally.
“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 Doori’ 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,” Union Minister Singh said.
The Defence Minister also extended Makar Sankranti and New Year greetings to the veterans, and said, “The presence of veterans here today proves that we are treating Akhnoor or for that matter Kashmir the same way as Delhi in our hearts.”
Lauding veterans and war heroes, the Defence Minister made a special mention of Brigadier Usman, who fought the tribal invaders in 1947 and forced them to withdraw back.
He criticised Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Prime Minister Chaudhary Anwarul Haq for his remarks against India and said that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK.
The Union Minister, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was received by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and senior officers amid tight security.
He inaugurated a heritage museum and hoisted a 108-foot-tall National Flag in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor border area.
The museum showcases weapons used in various wars in Jammu and Kashmir and sculptures of war heroes.
Describing Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as the “crown jewel of India” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without the PoK.
Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day event here Singh said, “PoK is the crown jewel of India, which is nothing more than a foreign territory to Pakistan.”
“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,” the Defence Minister said, adding, “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.”
He accused Pakistan of trying to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir. “Dismantle terror camps or face consequences…” Singh said, adding, “Over 80% of terrorists entering India come from Pakistan.”
“The war between India and Pakistan was fought in Akhnoor in 1965. India succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the Pakistani Army. Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965. 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.    (KNO/IANS)

Related Articles