New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, indirectly slammed Pakistan and said that those who cannot win wars against India are attempting to destroy the country’s unity, by fuelling separatism and terrorism.

PM was addressing a gathering in Gujarat’s  Kevadia during the celebration of 144th birth anniversary of India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

“They try to break our unity and try to groom separatism. Our unity is being challenged. They forget that no one could defeat this unity,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister made the statement at a day when Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh officialy became Union Territories.

He said that the special provision of Article 370 was the reason behind separatism and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"For decades, this article 370 had created a temporary wall among us Indians. Our brothers and sisters who were on the other side of this temporary wall, they also lived in confusion. The wall which was increasing separatism and terrorism in Kashmir, now that wall has been demolished," Modi added.

The Prime Minister said that nearly 40,000 people in three decades have been killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

In August this year, the BJP-led Central government revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and also bifurcated the state into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Prime Minister also said that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are moving towards a new future on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

(With inputs from agencies)