Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the Centre’s aim is to implement the resolution unanimously passed in the Indian Parliament on 22 February 1994, to reclaim the remaining parts of Kashmir such as Gilgit and Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh attended the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations in Srinagar on Thursday to commemorate the air-landed operations of Indian Army at Budgam Airport in 1947, which ensured the first civil-military victory of Independent India. On 27 October 1947, Indian Army troops were transported by the Indian Air Force to Budgam Airport to evict Pakistani forces from J-K, a day after the ‘Instrument of Accession’ was signed between Maharaja Hari Singh and Republic of India. 27 October, hence is celebrated as ‘Infantry Day’.
Addressing the event, the Defence Minister said that India is committed to implement the resolution passed in the Parliament about retrieving the part of Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan including Gilgit and Baltistan.
“Now we have just started walking towards north. Our journey will be completed only when we implement the resolution passed unanimously in the Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994, and accordingly, we will reach our remaining parts, such as Gilgit and Baltistan,” he said.
The minister added 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.
He 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.
“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.”
He said that everyone knows how much Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, cares for the people of PoK. “I would like to ask Pakistan how many rights has it given to the people of our areas that it has taken unauthorized possession of. Everyone knows how much Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, cares for the people of these areas. Pakistan is fully responsible for inhuman incidents. Pakistan, which is sowing the seeds of atrocities in PoK today, will have to face thorns in the coming time,” said Singh.
Emphasising that terrorism has no religion, Rajnath said countless lives were lost and countless houses were destroyed in the name of Kashmiriyat. “The ‘tandav’ of terrorism which this state witnessed in the name of Kashmiriyat cannot be described. Countless lives were lost, and countless houses were destroyed. There is no account of how much blood was shed in the name of religion. Many people have tried to link terrorism with religion. But are the victims of terrorism confined to any one religion? Does a terrorist act after seeing whether there is a Hindu or a Muslim in front? Terrorists only know how to execute their plans by targeting India,” said the Defence Minister.