Pakistan wanted to trigger riots in India: PM Modi

PM Modi rips into Pakistan in first J&K visit since Pahalgam attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Pakistan, accusing the neighboring country of orchestrating the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, primarily targeting Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism-driven economy.

Speaking at a public event in Katra after inaugurating the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and India’s first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge, PM Modi condemned Pakistan’s open support for terrorism, stating, “Pakistan is against humanity, tourism, and the rozi-roti of Kashmiris, and hence attacked tourists in Pahalgam.”

The Prime Minister alleged that the attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination, was a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to incite communal clashes in India and destabilize the region’s economy. “Pakistan intended to trigger communal riots and strip the people of Kashmir of their earnings by targeting tourism,” Modi stated.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the wake of India’s retaliatory ‘Operation Sindoor‘, a series of precision cruise missile strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.

“Whenever Pakistan hears the name ‘Operation Sindoor,’ it will be reminded of its shameful defeat,” Modi asserted, referring to strikes on Pakistani military installations, including air bases and radar sites. He emphasized that India’s fight is against terrorists, not the people of Pakistan.

Modi’s visit, is first to Jammu and Kashmir since the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, sends a strong message of resilience. “The strength shown by the people of Jammu and Kashmir has sent a clear message not just to Pakistan, but to terrorism across the world,” he said, reaffirming India’s resolve to counter terrorism and foster peace in the region.

Addressing the impact of cross-border violence, Modi announced financial assistance of Rs.2 lakh for families whose homes were severely damaged by Pakistani shelling and Rs.1 lakh for those with partially damaged properties. This move underscores the government’s commitment to supporting border communities amid ongoing tensions.

In a significant milestone for regional connectivity, PM Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express train service connecting Katra and Srinagar, marking the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

The inauguration, attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, establishes the first all-weather rail connection between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.

The project, costing over Rs.43,780 crore, includes 36 main tunnels spanning 119.6 km, 943 bridges, and advanced safety features like CCTV surveillance and fire-resistant systems.

The Chenab Bridge, standing 359 meters above the river—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower—is a marvel of engineering designed to withstand seismic activity and winds exceeding 250 km/h. The 1.3-km-long bridge, constructed with 28,660 metric tons of steel, is a key component of the USBRL. Similarly, the 725.5-meter-long Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, features a 193-meter-high central pylon and 96 cables installed in just 11 months, symbolizing India’s engineering prowess.

Addressing the crowd, Modi described the rail link as a “proclamation of India’s growing strength” and a step toward realizing the vision of “Kashmir to Kanyakumari.” He highlighted its potential to boost tourism, agriculture, and economic opportunities, noting, “Kashmir’s apples will reach big markets at low cost and on time.” The Prime Minister also announced Rs.46,000 crore worth of infrastructure projects, including flyovers and a medical institute in Katra, underscoring his government’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir’s development despite recent terror challenges.

The USBRL project, conceptualized in 1983 and declared a national project in 2002, has overcome decades of geological and security challenges. With its completion, Kashmir is now seamlessly connected to India’s rail network, marking a historic step toward integration and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah once again raised the issue of the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra.

“There are four persons on this stage who were present at the inauguration of the Katra railway station (in 2014). You had just won the election, becoming the Prime Minister for the first time. MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh was present then, and our LG Manoj Sinha sahib was discharging duties as MoS Railways, and I was here as the chief minister.”
“If you see, by the blessings of Mata (Vaishno Devi), Sinha has got a promotion, and I had a demotion. I was the Chief Minister of a state, and now I am the CM of the UT. However, I believe that it will not take long to rectify it …. Jammu and Kashmir will again get the statehood under your watch only,” Abdullah said.

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