‘Advantage turned into disadvantage by then Govt in 1965’
*DM hails Omar for steps to overcome distance between hearts
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today described Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) as crown jewel of India and declared that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoJK even as he charged Pakistan with illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 and trying to influence local population in the Union Territory.
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Rajnath’s significant statement came during his address at ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day celebrations at Akhnoor in this district in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, Northern Command chief Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar and other senior civil and military officers.
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Describing PoJK as crown jewel of India, the Defence Minister said Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoJK. The people living in PoJK have been deprived of a dignified life as Pakistan treats is as a foreign country, he added and said efforts are being made by Pakistan to mislead and provoke people of PoJK in the name of religion.
“PoJK’s land is being used (by Pakistan) for terrorism. Training camps for terrorists are running and launch pads have been built in the areas adjacent to the border, Rajnath said.
India is well aware of the launch pads created near the border, he added.
“(Pakistan must destroy this (these terror camps), otherwise),” Singh said while delivering a strong ultimatum to Pakistan.
Asserting that Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India-whether it was the attack in 1948 and the wars of 1965, 1971 or Kargil in 1999, the Defence Minister charged Pakistan with promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 and trying to influence local population in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he said, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have always rejected intentions of Pakistan.
“Neither during the 1965 war nor during the peak of terrorism did the people of Jammu and Kashmir side with Pakistan. Instead, many of our Muslim brothers here sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism,” Singh said.
He also highlighted the sacrifices of individuals like Mohammed Usman, who, he said, laid down their lives to protect the nation’s sovereignty.
“Pakistan still resorts to terrorism. Even today, over 80 percent of terrorists who come to India are from Pakistan. The terrorism would have ended in 1965 only had the then Government not turned the strategic advantage gained on the battlefield into disadvantage.” he added.
Singh said Pakistan began its infiltration attempts in 1965, expecting support from the Muslim population in Jammu and Kashmir – a hope that has consistently been proven wrong.
“Neither in 1965 nor during the peak of terrorism did the people of Jammu and Kashmir side with Pakistan. Instead, many of our Muslim brothers fought against terrorism and sacrificed their lives for the nation,” he added.
Reflecting on the lessons of the 1965 war, Singh criticized the failure to leverage strategic military gains during negotiations, citing the example of Haji Pir, where the Indian Army had achieved victory but later ceded the territory at the negotiation table.
“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.
Rajnath Singh said situation on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly improved since the abrogation of Article 370. He described scrapping of Article 370 as a crucial step.
“Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will always remain an integral part of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government has unwavering resolve to bridge the distance between Jammu and Kashmir and rest of India,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh also condemned recent remarks by PoJK Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq, calling them a continuation of Pakistan’s anti-India agenda nurtured since the era of General Zia-ul-Haq.
Singh underscored the significance of the battle of Akhnoor, where the Indian Army successfully thwarted Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam and advanced to Lahore.
Rajnath lauded Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his efforts to reduce the distance between hearts of people of J-K 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 Duri’ (distance between hearts) 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),” the Defence Minister said.
He said presence of veterans in Akhnoor demonstrates that “we are treating Akhnoor or for that matter Kashmir the same way as Delhi in our hearts.”
Rajnath reiterated the Government’s commitment towards the welfare of the veterans, serving soldiers and their families.
Rajnath announced doorstep delivery of medical facilities for ex-servicemen and their families residing in remote areas of the country through mobile medical units.
Asserting the Government’s commitment to the welfare of veterans of the armed forces, he said that preparations for the initiative have already begun. “Though it will take some time, I assure you that this doorstep delivery will commence.”
He assured that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will always work beyond its capacity to ensure the well-being of its soldiers, who remain as the assets to the country even after retirement. He enumerated the steps taken by MoD and underlined that the Government stands with the soldiers of the country at every step.
Drawing a parallel with India’s freedom struggle, Singh highlighted the sacrifices of icons like Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqulla to say, “Their inspiration came from the same sense of honour and pride that motivates our armed forces today. The youth who join the Army do so knowing the risks. Yet, they stand ready to sacrifice their lives for the dignity and security of India.”
As part of the event, Rajnath hoisted a 108-feet high National Flag and inaugurated ‘Akhnoor Heritage Museum’. The museum is a tribute to the rich history and culture of the region. Located on NH-144A connecting Jammu to Poonch, the museum showcases the rich history and legacy of the region.
Certain mobility equipment in terms of motorised wheelchairs, tri scooters, scooters and auto rickshaws were handed over to the ex-servicemen on the occasion. More than 40 stalls/help desks of various record offices, defence & Government welfare organizations, banks & employment agencies were established at the venue for in-situ grievance redressal and awareness.
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year to recognize the service rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953. The day was first celebrated in 2016 and it is commemorated every year since by hosting interactive events in the honour of the Ex-Servicemen.
The ninth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day was celebrated at multiple locations across the country today. Veterans’ rallies and wreath laying ceremonies were organized at a number of places, including Jammu, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Bareilly, Jaipur and Siliguri to pay respects to the ex-servicemen for their selfless duty and reinforce solidarity towards the Next of Kin of these bravehearts.
Rajnath Singh led the celebrations by addressing around 1,000 ex-servicemen during an event at Tanda Artillery Brigade, Akhnoor in Jammu. He interacted with the ex-servicemen and expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces personnel, both retired & serving, for their selfless service towards protecting the borders with unmatched bravery, dedication, sacrifice and patriotism, an official statement said.
The Defence Minister asserted that the nation will forever remain indebted to the Armed Forces, adding that every Indian holds deep respect for the gallant soldiers. This respect for the soldiers is ingrained in the values of the country, he said, pointing out that the conduct of multiple Veterans’ Day events is one such way to show that respect.
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