North News
Akhnoor(Jammu), January 14
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as India’s “crown jewel,” asserting that Jammu and Kashmir remains incomplete without it. Addressing ex-servicemen at the Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor, Singh accused Pakistan of exploiting PoK for terrorism, hosting training camps, and establishing launch pads near the border.
“The Indian government is well aware of the situation. Pakistan will have to put an end to its nefarious designs,” Singh said, adding that efforts to mislead the people of PoK in the name of religion have deprived them of dignified lives. Marking the diamond jubilee of the 1965 Indo-Pak war in 2025, Singh praised the valor of India’s Armed Forces and highlighted Pakistan’s history of aggression. “Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India, from 1948 to the Kargil conflict in 1999. Since 1965, it has promoted illegal infiltration and terrorism but failed to sway the local population in Jammu & Kashmir,” he stated.
Rajnath Singh emphasized the significant improvements in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, calling it a crucial step in bridging the region’s gap with the rest of India. He reiterated that over 80 percent of terrorists entering India continue to come from Pakistan, which he described as a persistent challenge.
During the event, attended by around 1,000 ex-servicemen, Rajnath Singh expressed gratitude to Armed Forces personnel for their dedication and sacrifices. “The nation remains indebted to its soldiers, whose bravery and patriotism are deeply respected by every Indian,” he said.
The Defence Minister hoisted a 108-foot National Flag and inaugurated the Akhnoor Heritage Museum, which showcases the region’s rich history and culture. Singh distributed mobility equipment, including motorized wheelchairs and scooters, to veterans. Over 40 stalls were set up for grievance redressal and welfare services by various records offices, government welfare organizations, banks, and employment agencies.
Concluding his address, Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of soldiers, both serving and retired, terming it a top priority. He assured that the Ministry of Defence would go beyond its capacity to ensure their well-being.
Pakistan must put end to its nefarious designs: Rajnath Singh
North New
Akhnoor (Jammu), January 14
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as India’s “crown jewel,” asserting that Jammu & Kashmir remains incomplete without it. Speaking at an event in the Tanda Artillery Brigade, he said PoK is being exploited by Pakistan for terrorism, with training camps and launch pads operating near the border. “The Indian government is well aware of the situation. Pakistan will have to put an end to its nefarious designs,” he said.
Defence Minister said that 2025 is the diamond jubilee year of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and India’s victory was the result of the valour & sacrifice of the Armed Forces. “Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India, whether it was the attack in 1948, the war of 1965, the war of 1971 or the Kargil war of 1999. Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 and has tried to influence the local population in J&K. But the people here have always rejected their intentions. Pakistan still resorts to terrorism. Even today, over 80% of terrorists who come to India are from there. The terrorism would have ended in 1965 only, had the then government not turned the strategic advantages gained on the battlefield into disadvantages. The situation on ground has significantly improved since the abrogation of Article 370,” he added.
Rajnath Singh further said that 2025 is the diamond jubilee year of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and India’s victory was the result of the valour and sacrifice of the Armed Forces. “Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India, whether it was the attack in 1948, the war of 1965, the war of 1971 or the Kargil war of 1999. Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965 and has tried to influence the local population in J&K. But the people here have always rejected their intentions. Pakistan still resorts to terrorism. Even today, over 80% of terrorists who come to India are from there. The terrorism would have ended in 1965 only, had the then government not turned the strategic advantages gained on the battlefield into disadvantages. The situation on ground has significantly improved since the abrogation of Article 370,” he said while addressing around 1,000 ex-servicemen during an event at Tanda Artillery Brigade, Akhnoor in Jammu.
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He interacted with the ex-servicemen and expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces personnel, both retired and serving, for their selfless service towards protecting the borders with unmatched bravery, dedication, sacrifice and patriotism. 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.
Rajnath Singh also described the Veterans’ Day celebrations at Akhnoor as a testament to the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will always remain an integral part of India. He reasserted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to bridge the distance between J&K and the rest of the country, describing the abrogation of Article 370 as a crucial step in this direction.
Concluding the address, the Defence Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment towards the welfare of the veterans, serving soldiers and their families. Terming it as a top priority, 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. As part of the event, Rajnath Singh 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 Records Offices, Defence and Government Welfare Organisations, Banks and Employment Agencies were established at the venue for in-situ grievance redressal and awareness.
