Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan attacked ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat by targeting tourists in Pahalgam saying the aim was to trigger communal clashes in India and rob Kashmiri people dependent on tourism of their livelihoods.
“Tourism provided employment and acts as a connecting link between people, but unfortunately, the neighbouring country is an enemy of humanity, harmony and tourism,” PM Modi said while speaking after flagging off the first train service to Kashmir at Katra.
“Not only that, Pakistan is also the enemy of the poor’s bread and butter. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam is an example of that. Pakistan attacked ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. The intent of Pakistan was to trigger communal riots in India. It wanted to strip people of Kashmir of their earnings, that’s why Pakistan attacked tourism,” he said.
The PM said tourism was increasing during the last five years in Jammu and Kashmir, and tourists were arriving in record numbers.
He said tourism fuels the kitchens of the poor in Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan deliberately targeted that sector.
“Pakistan wanted to destroy the livelihoods of guides, pony operators, guest house owners, shop owners, and roadside dhaba operators who are dependent on tourism. Adil, who challenged the terrorists, was also there to earn his livelihood,” he said, referring to the ponywala, who was among the 26 people gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22.
The PM said it has been one month since Indian forces wreaked havoc on terrorists holed up in Pakistan through Operation Sindoor.
“Whenever Pakistan hears about Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its shameful defeat,” he said.
“I will not allow the Pahalgam terror attack to stop development in J&K. The dreams of the youth will be fulfilled and any obstacle has to face Modi first,” the PM said.
“Today, people in J&K 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 said.
Modi also lauded heavy turnout at the 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 and “I promise that development will not be affected by the Pahalgam incident”, he said.
Praising the people of J&K for standing together against Pakistan’s conspiracy in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Modi said 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 PM 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.”
Referring to the loss of lives and heavy damage caused by Pakistan shelling in the border districts of J&K between May 6 and May 10, Modi said Pakistan Army’s action showed its frustration as it targeted civilian areas in Jammu, Poonch and other districts.
“The whole world witnessed how Pakistan destroyed homes, schools, temples, mosques and gurdwaras. The people of the country also saw the bravery of the border residents who held their ground,” Modi said, adding that every citizen of the country stood behind the victims’ families.
The PM said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project is a symbol of a new and empowered Jammu and Kashmir, and a resounding proclamation of India’s growing strength.
The Chenab and Anji bridges will serve as gateways to prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The prime minister inaugurated the two state-of-the-art bridges before flagging off the Vande Bharat train to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL), providing direct train connectivity to the valley.Jammu and Kashmir real estateFine dining reservations
He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore for Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district.
The 272-km USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels, spanning 119 km, and 943 bridges.
The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.