Pakistan tries to maintain presence through terrorism: PM Narendra Modi

Srinagar: On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Indian Army will stomp on terrorism with all its might and will not allow the evil plans of terror masterminds to succeed. Addressing a rally in Kargil, the Prime Minister condoled with the soldiers who died in the war and accused Pakistan of not learning from the past despite suffering defeat in all past unfortunate incidents. “I want to tell the terror masterminds, their evil plans will never succeed. Our Army will stomp on terrorism with all its might and will give a befitting retribution to the enemy. Be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir, India will overcome all difficulties and obstacles in the path of development,” Modi said. The Prime Minister said Pakistan wants to remain relevant through “terrorism and proxy wars”. “Today, I am speaking from a place where the terror masterminds can hear me directly,” he said.

PM Modi said he had the good fortune to join the troops in Kargil as an Indian citizen in 1999 and the memories are coming back to him today. “I remember how our troops conducted war operations during this period. We not only won the war in Kargil but also epitomised truth, perseverance and capability. India was committed to peace then and Pakistan again put up a distrustful face towards it. But lies and fear gave way to truth,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that in a matter of days, five years have passed since the abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir is now talking about big dreams and a new future. “Jammu and Kashmir is recognised as a venue for important international events like the G20 meeting,” he said. The Prime Minister said cinema halls have reopened in Kashmir after decades and a Muharram procession was held in the heart of Srinagar city for the first time in around 35 years.

The Chief Minister virtually performed the first blast of the 4.1-km-long Sinkun La Tunnel project, which will be constructed at an altitude of about 15,800 feet on the Nim-Padum Darcha road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh.

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