Bridging gap between Kashmir and rest of India govt's top priority: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Akhnoor, Jan 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government's top priority is to bridge the existing gap between Kashmir and the rest of India.

Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as per JKNS said the government's focus was to bridge the gap between Kashmir and the rest of India.

"I extend my greetings to everyone on Makar Sankranti. It is believed that we should celebrate Makar Sankranti with our family. Therefore, I have come here today to celebrate this day with you all. We are celebrating Veterans Day today in Akhnoor, Kashmir. It’s a big day for all of us. I don’t wish to turn the pages of history. I will only say that those old days have gone. Our government’s efforts will be to reduce the gap between Kashmir and the rest of India," said the Defence Minister.

He further stated that the government's top priority was to bridge the existing gap between Kashmir and the rest of the country. "Steps are being taken in this direction by J&K CM Omar Abdullah. The Veterans Day celebrations in Akhnoor prove that Akhnoor has the same place in our hearts as Delhi," Rajnath said.

Rajnath Singh also recalled the 1965 India-Pakistan war, saying, "The war between India and Pakistan was fought in Akhnoor in 1965. India succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the Pakistani Army. India has always defeated Pakistan in all the wars fought in history."

He also spoke on the ongoing challenges with Pakistan, adding, "Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965. Our Muslim brothers have sacrificed their lives fighting against terrorism. Even today, more than 80% of the terrorists entering India are from Pakistan. Cross-border terrorism would have ended in 1965 itself, but the then central government was unable to convert the tactical advantage gained in the war into a strategic advantage," he said.

Rajnath Singh also addressed the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying, "Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. PoK is nothing more than a foreign territory for Pakistan. PoK's land is being used to run the business of terrorism. Terrorist training camps are being run in PoK. Pakistan will have to destroy them, or there will be consequences," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned.