Budgam (J&K): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday slammed Pakistan for "inhuman incidents against Indians in PoK" and said India aimed to reclaim Gilgit and Baltistan regions.
The defence minister said so while attending the 'Shaurya Diwas' programme organized by the Indian Army in central Kashmir's Budgam district to mark On the 76th Infantry Day. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was also present at the programme.
Rajnath said that some areas "illegally occupied by Pakistan are still devoid of progress". "Pakistan is fully responsible for inhuman incidents against innocent Indians in PoK. In the times to come, Pakistan will face the result of its atrocities. Today, the region of J&K and Ladakh is touching new heights of development.
This is just the beginning. Our aim is to implement the resolution unanimously passed in Parliament on February 22, 1994 to reclaim remaining parts, such as Gilgit and Baltistan,” he said. Rajnath said earlier some anti-India elements used to disturb peace and harmony in the name of religion, but now there is peace and tranquillity in J&K due to the persistent efforts by the Government and the Armed Forces.
“Terrorists have no religion. They are the enemies of humanity. Any violation of fundamental rights of a human being is not acceptable in an ideal society. This has been our commitment. The doors of development and peace have now been opened in J&K and Ladakh, with the people of the two UTs reaping the benefits of the welfare schemes of Government of India. There is unity among the people who are moving forward hand-in-hand,” asserted Rajnath Singh.
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Infantry Day is observed as a remembrance of the first military event of independent India, when the Indian Army repelled the first attack on Indian soil on October 27, 1947, in the Kashmir valley. The victory was accomplished by the personnel of the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment.
In his address, the defence minister paid tributes to the soldiers of the Armed Forces and the people of J&K who laid down their lives to protect the unity and integrity of the country. He stated that it is because of their valour and sacrifice that J&K remained an integral part of India and will continue to be in the future.
He asserted that despite a number of stumbling blocks, India has risen time and again because of the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers and today it is standing tall on the strong foundation laid by them. “The greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. The incident of 1947 is one such instance,” he said.
Rajnath recalled the valour of the first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, who despite being injured led a company and saved the Srinagar airfield from enemy clutches and in the process made the supreme sacrifice. He also paid glowing tributes to the bravery of other Gallantry award winners such as Brigadier Rajinder Singh and Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, who gave away their lives to protect the motherland.
Rajnath said that Major Somnath Sharma and other heroes will always remain a source of inspiration for every Indian and the country will forever be indebted to their sacrifices. He also remembered former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik, who as a pilot during the war, made a valuable contribution to the movement of the troops.
He commended the crucial role played by the people of J&K who helped the Armed Forces in forcing the enemies to retreat and protect the sovereignty of the country. Rajnath said that post-independence, the people of J&K were deprived of development and tranquillity for decades until the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came to the helm and abrogated Article 370, bringing a new era of peace and progress in the Union Territory.
Rajnath Singh has been the second top Union minister to visit Jammu and Kashmir this month. Earlier, Union Home minister Amit Shah was on a three-day visit to the Union Territory from October 4. Later in the day, the Defence Minister will reach Leh on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
