‘Let patrons of terrorism know, their intentions will never succeed’
J&K today talking about new future full of dreams
First blast of strategic Shinkun La tunnel carried out
Six-time increase in Ladakh’s budget in last 5 years
Agnipath scheme example of necessary reforms by Army
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 26: Amidst surge in terror attacks in the Jammu region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sent out a stern warning to Pakistan declaring that the Indian Army will crush all terror attempts with full force as he charged the neighbor with not learning from its past even after facing defeats.
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Addressing silver jubilee victory celebrations of Kargil war at Drass in the Union Territory of Ladakh, Modi said nefarious intentions of the terrorists will never be fulfilled.
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The Prime Minister’s strong message from Drass War Memorial where Indian troops defeated Pakistani army and intruders this day 25 years back, came amidst increasing terror attacks in Jammu with 10 soldiers sacrificing their lives in the region this month only.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Sharma, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan and three Service Chiefs including Gen Upendra Dwivedi (Army), Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (IAF) and Admiral Dinesh Tripathi (Navy) were among those present at Drass today.
Asserting that Pakistan has been trying to stay relevant by using terrorism and proxy wars, Modi declared that the Indian soldiers will crush all terror attempts with full force. He also noted that Pakistan has not learnt anything from its past and said evil intentions of the terrorists will never be fulfilled.
He said our bravehearts will trample all the terror attempts.
“Today, I am speaking at a place from where the masters of terror can hear my voice directly. I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed,” Modi said in the presence of India’s top military brass.
He said falsehood and terror were brought down to their knees by the truth in the 1999 war. “In Kargil, we not only won the war, we presented an incredible example of truth, restraint and strength,” he remarked and said the nation is forever indebted and deeply grateful to the mighty superheroes of our armed forces.
Modi said the victory in Kargil war was not of any Government or any party but belongs to the country.
Recalling the days of the Kargil war, Modi said he was fortunate to be amidst soldiers back then and added that he still remembers how the soldiers carried out a difficult operation at such a height.
“I salute the brave sons of the country who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the motherland,” he said.
Modi paid glowing tribute to soldiers who had made supreme sacrifices in the Kargil war.
He said the Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory after a nearly three-month battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. The day is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan. This year, the country celebrated silver jubilee of the victory.
“India will overcome all challenges that come in the way of development, be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Jammu and Kashmir is today talking about a new future full of dreams and referred to successful conduct of G20 meetings in the UT, Government’s focus on infrastructure development and tourism, cinema halls opening up and tazia procession being taken out after three and a half decades.
“This heaven on earth is now swiftly moving in the direction of peace and prosperity,” he said, adding that India will overcome all challenges that come in the way of development-be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution of India granting special status to erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said few days from now on August 5, the abrogation of 370 will complete five years
Referring to the development taking place in the Union Territory of Ladakh, he said there has been approximate six-time increase in the UT’s budget from Rs 1100 crores to Rs 6000 crores in last five years.
“Be it roads, electricity, water, education, power supply and employment, Ladakh is transforming in every direction,” he said, highlighting the application of holistic planning for the first time. He referred to 90 percent coverage of drinking water in Ladakh households under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the upcoming Sindhu Central University for quality higher education for the youth of Ladakh, work to establish 4G network in entire Ladakh region and ongoing work on 13-kilometer long Zojila tunnel for all weather connectivity to Ladakh.
Before his address, the Prime Minister also remotely carried out the “first blast” of the strategic Shinkun La Tunnel project that will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh.
“This tunnel will open doors of new possibilities for the development and better future of Ladakh,” he said.
Modi said the tunnel will make the lives of people of Ladakh easier given the numerous hardships they face due to the region’s extreme weather.
The project consists of a 4.1-kilometre twin-tube tunnel, to be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road, to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh.
Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world. The Shinkun La tunnel will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of our armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh.
Referring to the ambitious targets for the border areas, the Prime Minister informed that the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has completed more than 330 projects, including the Sela Tunnel, showcasing “New India’s” capabilities and direction.
Referring to the Agnipath scheme, Modi said it is an example of necessary reforms undertaken by the Army and accused the opposition of playing politics over the recruitment process aimed at keeping the average age in armed forces young.
“Some people were playing politics over a sensitive issue related to national security and rubbished claims that the Agnipath scheme was launched to save pension money. The aim of Agnipath is to make the forces young…The aim of Agnipath is to keep the armies continuously fit for war,” he said.
Unfortunately, Modi said, such a sensitive issue related to national security has been made a subject of politics by some people. Some people are playing politics of lies for their personal interests even on this reform of the Army, he added.
The Prime Minister said Agnipath scheme is an example of necessary reforms done by the army.
“For decades, there have been discussions in Parliament and various committees on making the armed forces younger. The average age of Indian soldiers being higher than the global average has been a matter of concern,” he added.
He said this issue was raised in many committees for years but the will to resolve this national security challenge was not shown earlier.
“The country has addressed this concern through the Agnipath scheme,” he said.
Hitting out at the opposition, Modi said, “These are the same people who weakened our forces by committing scams worth thousands of crores in the forces.”
He said these people did not want the Indian Air Force to get modern fighter jets and they had “made preparations to lock the Tejas fighter plane in a box.”
The Prime Minister also rubbished the claims that Agnipath scheme was launched to save pension money.
“Some people are also spreading the misconception that the Government has come up with this scheme to save pension money. I want to ask such people, the question of pension for today’s recruits will arise after 30 years. Why would the Government take a decision today,” he asked.
Modi said his Government has respected the decision taken by the forces as “for us the security of the country is paramount, not politics”.
“Those who are misleading the youth of the country… History is witness to the fact that they do not care about the soldiers. These are the same people who lied about One Rank One Pension by showing Rs 500 crore. It is our Government which implemented One Rank One Pension and gave more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore to ex-servicemen,” he added.
Earlier, Modi paid homage to the Kargil war martyrs in Drass to mark the 25th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war.
He laid a floral wreath at the Drass War Memorial to pay tribute to officers and soldiers of the armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.
A shepherd named Tashi Namgyal is believed to have reported the intrusion by Pakistani soldiers into Kargil on May 2, 1999. The Indian Army launched a fierce counter-assault, Operation Vijay, to push back the Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh. The war went on for nearly three months on the icy heights.
On July 26, 1999, the Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory over Pakistan.
The war saw Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrains amid harsh weather conditions in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.
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