Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday accused Pakistan of persistently attempting to destabilize India by supporting terrorism. He demanded Pakistan dismantle its terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) or face serious consequences.
Emphasizing that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK, Singh said the region has become a hub for terrorism, serving as a base for training camps and infiltration launch pads.
“The land of PoK is being misused for terrorist activities. Training camps are operational, and launch pads have been established near the border. The Indian government has credible intelligence on this and is fully aware of the situation. Pakistan must act to eliminate this menace, or else…,” Singh warned while addressing a veterans’ rally in the Akhnoor area.
Reiterating India’s position, Singh declared, “Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. For Pakistan, PoK is nothing more than foreign territory.” He added that PoK’s residents have been denied a dignified life, exploited by Pakistan’s rulers under the guise of religion to advance their anti-India agenda.
Singh also condemned recent remarks by PoK Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq, labeling them as an extension of Pakistan’s long-standing anti-India policies since General Zia-ul-Haq’s era.
Criticizing Pakistan’s failure to abandon terrorism, Singh remarked, “Pakistan has always sought to destabilize India. It continues its efforts but refuses to give up its support for terrorism. Most terrorists infiltrating Jammu and Kashmir originate from Pakistan.”
Singh highlighted Pakistan’s repeated failures to gain the support of Jammu and Kashmir’s people, stating, “Neither during the 1965 war nor during the peak of terrorism did the people of Jammu and Kashmir side with Pakistan. Many of our Muslim brothers sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism.”
He praised the sacrifices of individuals like Mohammed Usman, who defended the nation’s sovereignty. Singh also emphasized that Pakistan, despite international pressure, continues to foster terrorism. “The Indian government is vigilant and will not tolerate threats to its sovereignty and security,” he said.
Recalling the 1965 war, Singh lauded the Indian Army’s efforts, particularly in Akhnoor, where Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam was thwarted, and India advanced to Lahore.
“History proves that Pakistan has lost every war against India—whether it was the tribal invasion of 1948, the 1965 war, the 1971 war, or the Kargil conflict of 1999. Pakistan has faced defeat and humiliation every time,” Singh asserted.
He noted that Pakistan’s infiltration attempts in 1965 were based on a false hope that Jammu and Kashmir’s Muslim population would support them—a hope consistently disproven. “Many of our Muslim brothers fought against terrorism and made sacrifices for the nation,” he added.
Reflecting on missed opportunities, Singh criticized the strategic decisions made during negotiations after the 1965 war, particularly ceding Haji Pir despite military gains. “If we had retained that territory, infiltration routes could have been sealed. The abrogation of Article 370 has started reversing such mistakes,” he said.
Singh concluded by emphasizing the transformative impact of Article 370’s abrogation, asserting that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has drastically changed. “Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK, which is the crown jewel of India,” he declared.
