Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited Ladakh and reviewed security arrangements put in place along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China .
This is the first visit of the Defence Minister since Article 370 and Article 35 A were scrapped and J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
Official sources told UNI that Singh, accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, arrived in this town on a day long visit on Thursday morning. “The Defence Minister reviewed the overall security situation in Ladakh, particularly along LAC with China,” they said.
They said Singh was in Ladakh to inaugurate Kishan, Jawan, Vighayan mela.
Sources said Singh was given a detailed brief about overall security situation along the LAC and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Siachen glacier, the highest battle field in the world.
Meanwhile, Singh lashed out at Pakistan, saying that Kashmir was never a part of the neighbouring country. “Pakistan was created from India and Kashmir was never a part of it. Pakistan should shun its claim on Kashmir and look into the problems in its own country,” he added.
He said the people of the state have accepted scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35 A. However, Mr Singh said he doesn’t understand what is the problem with Pakistan, which keeps on promoting militancy in the valley. POK, Baltistan and Gilgat were part of our country, he said
“We have not deceived people as scrapping of special status of the state was one of our main agenda since the party came into existence,” he said, adding BJP always wanted ‘aik pardhan, aik Nishan and aik samvedhan’ (one prime minister, one flag and one constitution).
He said India want to talk to Pakistan, but dialogue could not be held when the neighbouring country when it tries to destabilize our country and send militants here.
Recently the entire unit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resigned from the party and joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kargil, where people are protesting against division of the state and making Ladakh a union territory.
However, in Leh district people welcomed the decision of the Centre to grant union territory to Ladakh. (UNI)
