‘Pak resorting to torture, harassment’
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 27: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that India is committed to retrieve Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) from Pakistan and accused the neighbouring country of “resorting to torture and harassment” in the region.
Addressing the Infantry Day function in Srinagar, Singh said that India is committed to implement the 1994 resolution passed in the Parliament about retrieving the part of Kashmir “under illegal occupation of Pakistan.”
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“Pakistan Government is sowing the seeds of hatred in PoJK and time is not far when people will resort to mass rebellion there,” he said.
He said that India is committed to implement the resolution passed in the Parliament about retrieving Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan including Gilgit and Baltistan.
“People of PoJK are being deprived of all basic rights and we are fully aware of it,” he said.
The Defence Minister said the dream of Sardar Valabbhai Patel will be fulfilled when all refugees of 1947 will get their land and homes back. “And I assure you that day will come…,” Singh added.
He said that post Article 370 revocation, Jammu and Kashmir is marching towards success, peace and prosperity. “Before rolling back Article 370, Kashmiri society was divided into segments, but post August 5, 2019, all sections of society are collectively marching towards success and prosperity. This was just a beginning,” he added.
Singh said revocation of Article 370 started a new beginning in J&K. “People of J&K reposed great hope and supported the full integration of J&K with the Union of India. J&K and Ladakh UTs are flourishing with every section of society getting their due rights,” he added.
He said in 1947, the Indian Army gave a befitting reply to enemies who tried to play mischief by occupying Kashmir illegally. “I pray great tribute to the Infantry regiments of the Indian Army who offered supreme sacrifices by pushing the invaders back,” said Singh.
He said the Infantry Day reminds “us to renew our pledge to root out our enemies and protect the country’s sovereignty.” Singh hailed the soldiers for their valour and commitment towards protecting the borders and taking the country to new heights.
“This Shaurya Diwas inspires us to take a resolution that no matter what the situation may be in the future, no matter how many divisive forces come before us, we should take our nation to new heights by answering them in their own language,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh said that everyone knows how much Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, cares for the people of PoJK.
“I would like to ask Pakistan how many rights has it given to the people of our areas that it has taken unauthorized possession of. Everyone knows how much Pakistan, which sheds crocodile tears in the name of human rights, cares for the people of these areas. Pakistan is fully responsible for inhuman incidents. Pakistan, which is sowing the seeds of atrocities in PoJK today, will have to face thorns in the coming time,” said Singh.
“I am convinced of the strength of the people here and our armies. The day is not far when all these mandates will be successfully fulfilled,” he said.
The Defence Minister also slammed the “so-called intellectuals” for bringing the “human rights of terrorists” in the region.
“In order to ensure the safety of the public in this area, whenever any action has been taken on terrorists and their allies by the Army or state security forces, some so-called intellectuals of the country have found a violation of human rights of terrorists in that action,” he said.
“I am also surprised that when our forces are attacked, security forces are attacked, or the general public is attacked by the same terrorists and they are treated ruthlessly, then where does the concern for human rights go?” asks Rajnath.
Emphasising that terrorism has no religion, Rajnath said countless lives were lost and countless houses were destroyed in the name of Kashmiriyat.
“Countless lives were lost, and countless houses were destroyed. There is no account of how much blood was shed in the name of religion. Many people have tried to link terrorism with religion. But are the victims of terrorism confined to any one religion? Does a terrorist act after seeing whether there is a Hindu or a Muslim in front? Terrorists only know how to execute their plans by targeting India,” said the Defence Minister.
The Infantry day has a unique significance, as it was on this day in 1947 that infantrymen from the Indian Army became the first troops to land at Srinagar airport, an act which turned back the invaders from the outskirts of Srinagar and saved the state of Jammu and Kashmir from a Pakistan-backed tribal invasion.
As part of the Infantry Day celebrations of 2022, a ‘Wreath Laying’ ceremony was organised at the National War Memorial today to honour the heroes of the Infantry.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen BS Raju along with Colonels of the Regiments, laid wreaths on this solemn occasion.
Exactly 75 years ago troops of the Army’s 1 Sikh Regiment had arrived at the old airfield of Srinagar, carried in Dakota aircraft, to protect Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani forces.
It was the first military operation of Independent India, a move that changed the course of the 1947-48 War.
The first of the Indian Army soldiers dispatched for the mission had landed at then dusty airfield on October 27, 1947 to repulse Pakistani forces.
This day is celebrated as Infantry Day by the Army to commemorate the historic event.
At the venue, huge cut-outs of Brig Rajinder Singh, Brig Mohd Usman, Maj Somnath Sharma and Maqbool Sherwani were mounted, ‘Shaurya Diwas’ posters were put up.
Usha Parmar, octogenarian daughter of Brig Rajinder Singh and family members of other martyrs are also attending the event.
The Army on Thursday morning in a tweet said, “‘Infantry-The Ultimate’. General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy convey best wishes to all ranks, #Veterans, #VeerNaris and families of the #Infantry on the occasion of 76th #InfantryDay.”
It also shared a small video clip showcasing the strength of the infantry, and also some archival footage.
Srinagar-based Chinar Corps also took to Twitter to convey it’s wishes on the landmark occasion.
“#ChinarCorps extends greetings and best wishes to all ranks, veterans, veer naris and families of #Infantry on the occasion of 76th #InfantryDay. We salute the courage, valour and sacrifice of our infantrymen in line of duty for the Nation.” it tweeted.
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