Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that the Parliamentary resolution of 1994, pledging retrieval of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), would be firmly executed as India was committed to it.

While speaking at a function on occasion of the Infantry Day at the Srinagar Airport, which marks the first landing of the Indian troops on the Srinagar Airport on 27th of October 1947, Defence Minister said that retrieval of the PoK territories from Pakistan’s illegal occupation was the country’s national commitment. He asserted that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed “a new dawn of peace, prosperity and development” after abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

“India firmly believes in its commitment to retrieve the PoK. The PoK population is suffering badly at the hands of the government on the other side. It should have been a matter of prime concern for us”, Rajnath Singh said. “India feels the pain of every citizen of PoK where torture and harassment are usual affairs. Pakistan is sowing seeds of hatred there but the time is not far away when people will start a rebellion there”, Singh added. On 22 October, the day of attack on Kashmir in 1947 was observed as a black day with many people joining rallies across the PoK.

Singh said that some areas that are illegally occupied by Pakistan were still devoid of progress. “Pakistan is fully responsible for inhuman incidents against innocent Indians in the PoK. In the times to come, Pakistan will face the result of its atrocities. Today, the region of J&K and Ladakh is touching new heights of development. This is just the beginning. Our aim is to implement the resolution unanimously passed in the Indian Parliament on 22 February 1994, to reclaim remaining parts, such as Gilgit and Baltistan”, Singh asserted.

The defence minister added that the dream of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would be fulfilled when all refugees of the Partition era of 1947 get back their legal and constitutional rights.

In his address to the troops, as well as the top functionaries of the UT government, Singh said that Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing massive development in all fields after the historic reorganisation and abrogation of the Article 370. “Before rolling back Article 370, the Kashmiri society was divided into bits, but post August 5, 2019, all sections of the society are collectively marching towards peace, prosperity, success and development”, he asserted.

“Some anti-India elements used to disturb peace and harmony in the name of religion. But there’s peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir due to the persistent efforts of the government and the armed forces”, Singh said. He said that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and would continue so in the future because of the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces and the people of Kashmir who laid their lives to protect the unity and integrity of the country.

Despite a number of stumbling blocks, India has risen time and again because of the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers. The country stands tall on a strong foundation laid by them. The greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. The incident of 1947 is one such instance,” Singh said.

He added that the first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, saved the Srinagar airfield despite being injured. “Major and other heroes will always remain a source of inspiration for every Indian. The country will forever be indebted to their sacrifices.”

“Terrorists have no religion. They are the enemies of humanity. Any violation of fundamental rights of a human being is not acceptable in an ideal society. This has been our commitment. The doors of development & peace have now been opened in J&K and Ladakh, with the people of the two UTs reaping the benefits of the welfare schemes of the government of India. There is unity among the people who are moving forward hand-in-hand,” he added.

Singh’s visit to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday comes on the 75th anniversary of the erstwhile State’s accession to India followed by the Indian Army’s first landing to defeat the Pakistani raiders invasion. It is celebrated as Shaurya Divas. This also coincides with the establishment of the Indian Air Force’s first base in Jammu and Kashmir. The UT Government has lately declared 26th of October as “Accession Day” and a gazetted holiday.

Singh presided over some commemorative events and a meeting of the top defence officials before his departure for Ladakh. He paid rich tributes to the Indian soldiers and officers who defeated the foreign invasion and attained martyrdom in the Battle of Budgam and thus saved the State and its people from loot and massacre of the marauders.

Accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from New Delhi, Singh arrived in the technical area of the Srinagar airport by an IAF aircraft. A memorial for the martyrs of the Battle of Budgam, including Major Somnath Sharma, stands at the technical area of the airport. Later, Singh proceeded to Kargil and other forward areas of the UT of Ladakh while LG Sinha returned to New Delhi to continue his preoccupations.