'Pakistan Made Every Effort To Destabilise India': Rajnath Singh In Akhnoor, Says 'J&K Incomplete Without PoK'
Rajnath Singh accused Pakistan of exploiting PoK as a base for terrorist training camps and infiltration activities, and claimed that PoK is being used to run the "business of terrorism".
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir is "incomplete" without Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as he accused Pakistan of using PoK to run a "business of terrorism". He also blamed Pakistan of making contsant efforts to destablise India and warned Islamabad to dismantle its terror infrastructure or face serious consequences.
Addressing a gathering of the Armed Forces Veterans in Jammu district's Akhnoor, Singh emphasised that the region underwent transformation after the abrogation of Article 370. "The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has changed drastically, and this truth must be accepted. Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK, which remains the crown jewel of India," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and General Officer Commanding-in-chief M V Suchindra Kumar were among those who attended the event at Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor to celebrate the ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day celebrations.
Singh reaffirmed India's stance saying, "For Pakistan, PoK is nothing more than foreign territory" and added that the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir have never aligned with those of Pakistan.
He accused Pakistan of exploiting PoK as a base for terrorist training camps and infiltration activities, and cited the sacrifices made by several Muslim residents of the region in the fight against terrorism. He further said that India is well aware of the launch pads created near the border and that PoK is being used to run the "business of terrorism", the report added.
"... Pakistan ko inko khatm karna hi hoga, nahin to dot dot dot (Pakistan must destroy this (these terror camps), otherwise)," Singh warned Pakistan.
Reflecting the lessons learnt from the 1965 war, Rajnath Singh further slammed the missed opportunity to bank on strategic military gains during negotiations, mentioning Haji Pir as an example of a territory which was ceded despite Indian army's success."If that had not happened, the routes for terrorist infiltration would have been closed back then. However, we began to change this by abrogating Article 370," he said.
The Defence Minister also criticised the recent remarks made by the so-called prime minister of PoK, Anwar-ul-Haq, who backed the continuation of Pakistan's anti-India agenda. Singh added that PoK has been deprived of a dignified life and that the Pakistan's rulers have manipulated it under the guise of religion to further their agenda of exporting terror to India.
"Pakistan has always made every effort to destabilise India. Despite international pressure, it has never abandoned its policy of supporting terrorism. The terrorists infiltrating Jammu and Kashmir come from Pakistan," Singh said, slamming Pakistan's persistent support for terrorism.
Singh Announces Doorstep Delivery Of Medical Supplies To Ex-Servicemen In Remote Areas
At the event, Rajnath Singh announced that ex-servicemen and their families residing in remote areas across the country will be provided with doorstep delivery of medical facilities through mobile medical units. "The government has taken several steps to support ex-servicemen and their families. While I do not claim that all measures are sufficient, one significant initiative this year is the introduction of mobile medical units for veterans and their families in remote areas," he said.
J&K CM Abdullah praised the armed forces for safeguarding the nation and assured that his government will extend complete support in mitigating the issues faced by the army veterans. He added that efforts are underway to improve and strengthen the relationship between the government and the forces, PTI reported.
The Defence Minister highlighted the significance of the Battle of Akhnoor as he recalled the bravery of the Indian Army during the 1965 war with Pakistan. The Indian Army had successfully thwarted Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam and advanced towards Lahore. "History stands as a testament that Pakistan has lost every war against India -- be it the tribal invasion of 1948, the 1965 war, the 1971 war, or the 1999 Kargil conflict. In each case, Pakistan has faced humiliation and defeat," he remarked.