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Rajnath Singh visits Srinagar, to review security after India-Pakistan ceasefire
Jammu and Kashmir was among the worst-hit areas of the intense four-day military confrontation between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh landed in Srinagar on Thursday to review security in the Jammu and Kashmir amid tensions with Pakistan. This is the defence minister’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after India launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist organisations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and a ceasefire understanding between the two countries on May 10.
Rajnath Singh met the soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces and said he was proud to be among them under “amid such adverse conditions.”
While speaking at the Badami Bagh Cantonment near Srinagar, Singh paid respects to those who died in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor and the victims of the devastating April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
"First of all, I would like to bow to the supreme sacrifice of the brave jawans while they fought terrorism and terrorists. I pay respect to their memory. I also pay respect to the innocent civilians who were killed in Pahalgam. I also salute the valour of the injured soldiers and pray to God that they may recover at the earliest," he said.
"The entire nation is proud of what you all did during Operation Sindoor under the able leadership and guidance of PM Narendra Modi. Before being your defence minister, I am an Indian citizen. I am here to express gratitude to you as an Indian citizen," he added.
Jammu and Kashmir was among the worst-hit areas of the intense four-day military confrontation between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Singh's visit comes day after he attended a meeting of the Cabinet Committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. In the meeting, PM Modi discussed the security situation in the wake of the pause on Operation Sindoor. Apart from Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the meeting where they discussed the current situation and India's preparedness, said a PTI report.
On Sunday, Singh inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow virtually and said that it would strengthen India’s efforts towards aatma-nirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector.
Terming the BrahMos facility in Lucknow as a matter of pride for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Singh stated that it has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs.
During the inaugural ceremony, Singh also thanked armed forces for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor.
“This is not the first time that India has responded to terrorist attacks. The Uri surgical strike, Balakot air strike and now after the Pahalgam attack, India has shown the world how it can respond to terrorist attacks,” Singh said.
“We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism... On behalf of everyone, I thank our arm forces for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor,” he added.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to avenge the deaths of the victims of April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
