Kargil: On the eve of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed India’s steadfast commitment to combating terrorism, pledging that the Indian armed forces will resolutely counter any threats to the peace and stability of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at the War Memorial in Drass, PM Modi paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil conflict and emphasized the nation’s determination to thwart enemy designs.
“Today, my voice echoes through the mountains, reaching the ears of those who sponsor terrorism. Their sinister plans to disrupt peace in this region will be decisively crushed by our forces. We will deliver a fitting response to any attempts to destabilize J&K,” the Prime Minister declared.
PM Modi also inaugurated the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel, a strategic project aimed at providing all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of India. Reflecting on the sacrifices made during the Kargil war, he stressed that the legacy of the fallen soldiers would endure forever. “This land of Kargil stands as a testament to the ultimate sacrifices made by our bravehearts 25 years ago. Their names will be eternally etched in the annals of history,” he stated.
The Prime Minister highlighted the challenges faced during the Kargil conflict, noting that while India pursued peace, the adversary exhibited duplicity, ultimately leading to their defeat. “Our commitment to peace was met with betrayal, but in the end, truth prevailed. Our victory in Kargil was not just a military triumph but a demonstration of our resolve and the valor of our armed forces,” he remarked.
PM Modi criticized Pakistan for its continued support of terrorism and proxy warfare. “Pakistan has failed to learn from its past mistakes. It persists in promoting terrorism to wage a proxy war. We will ensure that their malicious designs never succeed,” he asserted. He further assured that any obstacles to the development of J&K and Ladakh would be swiftly overcome.
Reflecting on the progress made in J&K and Ladakh five years after the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi painted a picture of transformation and prosperity. “Today, J&K is renowned for hosting a successful G-20 meeting. Cinemas have reopened in Kashmir after over three decades, and the people are pursuing new aspirations,” he observed. The Shinkun La Tunnel, once completed, will facilitate year-round connectivity for Ladakh, he added.
In Ladakh, the budget has seen a significant increase from Rs 1,100 Crore to Rs 6,000 Crore in the past five years. “Ladakh is experiencing a new era of peace and development. With the upcoming 4G network and the completion of the 13 km Zojila Tunnel, National Highway 1 will become an all-weather route,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister did not spare the Congress party in his address, accusing them of neglecting the demands of the armed forces, including the army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). “Previous governments ignored the pressing needs of our forces, which yearned for reforms. Our administration listened to them, resulting in the development of 5,000 indigenous weapons,” he noted.
Taking a swipe at Congress for politicizing the Agniveer scheme, PM Modi contended that the critics were the same individuals embroiled in defense budget scams worth thousands of crores. “These detractors never desired a self-reliant army or the introduction of Tejas in the IAF,” he alleged.
Highlighting the BJP government’s implementation of the one rank-one pension scheme, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Kargil victory was a triumph for the entire nation. “As we commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, it is not just a victory for any government but a celebration of national unity and resilience. This victory remains one of our nation’s greatest assets,” he concluded.
