KATRA, June 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that through April 22 terror attack at Pahalgam, Pakistan tried to target ‘Insaaniyat and Kashmiriyat’ which was aimed at inciting communal riots in the country and deprive people of Kashmir of their livelihood, who are dependent on tourism.
Addressing a massive rally at holy town of Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine, after flagging off first train to Kashmir ending years long wait of the people to ride to the beautiful Valley in rail, Modi said it was exactly one month ago that India executed Operation Sindoor and delivered decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists hundreds of kilometers deep inside their territory.
Modi earlier inaugurated Chenab bridge in Reasi district, the highest railway bridge in the world and Anji Khad bridge, country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge before reaching Katra where he flagged off Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra simultaneously followed by a massive rally at Katra stadium
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah among others were present at the dais.
After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, the Prime Minister walked on it holding the tricolor high. He travelled in a rail engine coach to reach the spot.
Modi said Rs 46,000 crore worth of projects, which he launched today from Katra, will accelerate development in Jammu and Kashmir, driving progress and prosperity.
“Pakistan targeted “Insaaniyat and Kashmiriyat” through the terror attack in Pahalgam. The assault was “orchestrated with the sinister intent of inciting communal riots in the country and robbing the impoverished, tourism-dependent Kashmiris of their livelihood,” Modi said.
He described Pakistan as enemy of poor people’s livelihood, saying the neighbouring country stands against humanity, social harmony and economic prosperity.
Condemning Pakistan’s repeated attempts to disrupt progress in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi declared that he will not allow this to happen and the UT will continue to march ahead with development and progress. He said the momentum of development in J&K will not be shaken by the Pahalgam attack.
He declared that nothing will hinder the region’s growth, declaring that any obstacle threatening the dreams of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth will have to first face “Modi himself”.
“Tourism not only generates jobs, but also fosters unity among people. Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was breaking records during last 4-5 years. And Pakistan’s malicious intent directly hit local workers including pony rider operators, guest house owners, guides, porters and shopkeepers with a view to spoil their earnings,” Modi said, adding the deliberate attack on tourists was meant to sabotage the flourishing tourism industry in the UT.
The Prime Minister referring to Operation Sindoor said Pakistan’s military and terror networks never anticipated India’s bold move.
“Within minutes, terror infrastructure, hundreds of kilometers inside Pakistan, which they had built over decades were destroyed during Operation Sindoor. In frustration, Pakistan took out its anger on civilians in Poonch and other border districts where it bombed school going children, destroyed schools and hospitals, and attacked temples, mosques and gurdwaras with shelling,” he said but added that the countrymen stood with the victims of Pakistani shelling with full strength.
“Jammu and Kashmir endured terrorism, leading many to abandon their dreams and accept violence as their fate. But the Government has changed this reality, enabling the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to dream again and fulfill those dreams. Kashmir’s youth now take joy in seeing bustling markets, vibrant shopping malls, and flourishing cinema halls,” Modi said.
He praised the people of J&K for standing together against Pakistan’s conspiracy in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack saying their stand against the attack sent a strong message to people with terror mindset across the globe that they have made up their mind to give a befitting reply to terrorism.
“The decades-long terrorism burnt down schools in Kashmir and ruined the future of two generations. Not only schools, they burnt hospitals and even contesting an election became a challenge for the locals,” Modi said.
Stating that people tolerated terrorism and the devastation caused by it for decades, the Prime Minister said: “People had stopped dreaming and thought that terrorism was their future. It was imperative to pull J-K out of the menace of terrorism, which we have done successfully.”
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to give a befitting reply to terrorism, he declared.
He said the people in Jammu and Kashmir are looking at new dreams, and fulfilling them as well. The youth are happy with the construction of shopping malls, opening of cinema halls. They want J-K to become a prominent shooting destination for films. They also want the region to become a sporting hub, he added.
Modi also lauded the heavy turnout at the famous Kheer Bhawani Mela, a major festival of Kashmiri Pandits, and noted that the annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3. The Eid festivities are in the air, he said.
Modi said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line project is a symbol of a new, empowered Jammu and Kashmir and a resounding proclamation of India’s growing strength.
Referring to a recent statement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Prime Minister noted that even as a student of seventh or eighth grade, Abdullah had been anticipating the completion of this project.
The Chenab and Anji bridges will serve as gateways to prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The inauguration of mega infrastructure projects marks a turning point in J-K’s development journey, he said, adding that the state-of-the-art Chenab bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
The saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ has become a reality in rail network as well, he said.
Modi also laid the foundation and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore for Katra.
The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges.
