Poonch, May 30: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah Friday said the Centre stands like a rock with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and promised that the development of J&K would neither stop nor slow down, and the pace of development that began in 2014 would continue.
Distributing appointment letters for government jobs to the families of people affected by cross-border attacks in Poonch, Shah said, The Government of India stands like a rock with the people of J&K.î
In his address, he said that the development of J&K would neither stop nor slow down, and the pace of development that began in 2014 would continue.
He said that the spirit of patriotism that emerged among the citizens of J&K, from Kashmir to Poonch and Kathua, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack had strengthened the resolve of the people of the entire nation.
The Union Home Minister expressed his condolences to the families affected by the attacks by Pakistan on residential areas, temples, gurudwaras, and madrasas in Poonch.
He said that a programme to provide government jobs to the families of those killed in the condemnable attack by Pakistan was organised here today but stressed that compensation and government jobs could not fully compensate for the loss of life.
However, Shah said that these were a symbol of the sentiments of the J&K government, the Government of India, and the people of the entire country.
He said that a terrorist attack took place on citizens in Pahalgam, and thereafter, under the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to terrorist attacks with promptness and severity, India destroyed terrorist bases in PoK and Pakistan.
The Home Minister said that for the first time, Indian forces demolished the headquarters of terrorist organisations located within Pakistanís borders.
He said that due to the resolute determination of PM Modi, the precise intelligence provided by the agencies, and the remarkable courage and pinpoint accuracy of the military, hundreds of terrorists were eliminated.
Shah said that India had attacked the terrorists, but Pakistan perceived it as an attack on itself, revealing to the entire world the truth that Pakistan was providing shelter to terrorists.
He said that India did not attack any military or civilian institution in Pakistan and, with utmost precision and restraint, Indian forces destroyed Pakistan-sponsored terrorist bases.
The Home Minister said that following Indiaís attacks on terrorist bases in Pakistan, a rattled Pakistan resorted to firing in residential areas of J&K, with Poonch suffering the most damage.
He said that the entire world was strongly condemning Pakistanís attacks on civilians.
Shah said that when Pakistan attacked residential areas and unarmed civilians, the Indian Army responded robustly by damaging nine of their airbases and military capabilities, forcing Pakistan to come forward for a ceasefire agreement.
He said that under PM Modiís leadership, Indiaís security policy was clear: ëOur army will not tolerate any kind of interference on our civilians and borders.í
The Home Minister said that many homes and commercial establishments in Poonch had been damaged, and the Centre would introduce a relief package for this in the coming days.
He said that the armed forces and security personnel were fully capable of responding to every attack.
Shah said that the entire J&K administration stood with the people at every moment.
He said that the administration promptly worked to evacuate thousands of people to safe locations, which significantly reduced losses.
The Home Minister said that after becoming PM, Narendra Modi immediately decided to construct bunkers, and over 9500 bunkers were built in border areas, which greatly helped in saving the lives of citizens during recent attacks.
He said that the Centre would build more bunkers to protect citizens during disasters.
Shah said that PM Modi had made it very clear that terror and talks, or terror and trade cannot coexist, and blood and water cannot flow together.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with several dignitaries, was also present on the occasion.
