Rajnath Singh asserts Jammu and Kashmir incomplete without PoK

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a strong statement on Tuesday, declaring that Jammu and Kashmir remains incomplete without Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), while urging Pakistan to dismantle terrorist training camps operating in the region.

#WATCH | Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir: Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. PoK is nothing more than a foreign territory for Pakistan... PoK's land is being used to run the… pic.twitter.com/c0124kYSMA

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event, Singh stressed, "Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. PoK is nothing more than a foreign territory for Pakistan... PoK's land is being used to run the business of terrorism. Terrorist training camps are being run in PoK... Pakistan will have to destroy them otherwise."

#WATCH | Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir: Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...The war between India and Pakistan was fought in Akhnoor in 1965. India succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the Pakistani army...India has always… pic.twitter.com/P4ounj68SL

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

The Defence Minister also reflected on the 1965 India-Pakistan war, pointing out that the then Lal Bahadur Shastri government missed an opportunity to end cross-border terrorism.

He remarked, "The war between India and Pakistan was fought in Akhnoor in 1965. India succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the Pakistani army... Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965... Cross-border terrorism would have ended in 1965 itself, but the then central government was unable to convert the tactical advantage gained in the war into a strategic advantage."

Singh acknowledged the sacrifice of Indian Muslims who have fought against terrorism, adding that over 80 percent of terrorists infiltrating India come from Pakistan.

#WATCH | Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir: Speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "... The top priority of our government is to bridge whatever gap exists between Kashmir and the rest of the country. Steps are being taken in this… pic.twitter.com/rx1YtV51jy

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

He emphasized that one of the Centre's key priorities is to bridge the gap between Kashmir and the rest of India, saying, "The top priority of our government is to bridge whatever gap exists between Kashmir and the rest of the country. Steps are being taken in this direction by J&K CM Omar Abdullah... The Veterans Day celebrations in Akhnoor prove that Akhnoor has the same place in our hearts as Delhi."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also spoke at the event, honoring the veterans who sacrificed so much for the nation.

#WATCH | Akhnoor, J&K | Addressing the 9th Armed Forces Veterans Day, CM Omar Abdullah says, "... You are the people who gave everything for the sake of the country... who didn't worry about their future or lives and were ready to sacrifice and did for the protection of the… pic.twitter.com/r7ZFVnU4RI

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

"You are the people who gave everything for the sake of the country... who didn't worry about their future or lives and were ready to sacrifice and did for the protection of the country... It is now our duty to serve you... it is our duty to pay back by ensuring you live comfortably," he said. Abdullah also assured the veterans of his government's efforts to support them, noting, "We will try our best that the reservation is fully used in recruitment, you get all the financial support needed under the schemes without any obstruction... I have no hesitation in saying that the son of a retired soldier, Satish Sharma is in my Cabinet helping me and both of us are trying our best to serve you."

Armed Forces Veterans' Day, celebrated annually on January 14, honors the service of India's first Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953. The day was first observed in 2016 and continues to be commemorated with events celebrating the sacrifices of ex-servicemen.