J&K is integral part of India, says Rajnath Singh on ‘Kargil Vijay Divas’

PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan as “illegally occupied by Pakistan”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said J&K will always be an integral part of India and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan were illegally occupied by Pakistan, while describing Article 370 “an artificial barrier that stands removed”.

“J&K will always be an integral part of India and the government is ensuring that the Union Territory, like the rest of the country, touches newer heights of progress. Article 370 was an artificial legal barrier. Its abrogation brought a new dawn of hope to the dreams and aspirations of the people of J&K, especially the youth,” Mr. Singh, who was speaking on the occasion of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ in Jammu, said.

He said Pakistan, after tasting defeats in direct wars of 1965 and 1971, adopted the path of proxy war. 

“For over two decades, it has tried to ‘bleed India with a thousand cuts’. But, time and again, our brave soldiers have shown that no one can disturb the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India,” the Union Defence Minister said. 

He said India wanted friendship with our neighbor “but don’t know why Pakistan is behaving differently”. “Pakistan’s behavior is totally different. During the Kargil war, Pakistani intruders had sneaked into Indian territory, but when Indian soldiers launched their attack, Pakistani soldiers and intruders had to flee from Indian posts,” Mr. Singh said. 

Terming PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan as “illegally occupied by Pakistan”, Mr. Singh said, “A resolution to free it has been unanimously passed in Parliament of India,” he added

He said the entire area of J&K and Ladakh became the main war theatre during the 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999 wars. “Enemies tried to cast an evil eye, but those plans were thwarted by the gallant Indian soldiers,” he said.