Poonch\/Jammu, May 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the development of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will not stop or slow down despite recent provocations, and warned that those attempting to harm India will face a \u201cstrong and decisive\u201d response.<\/p>\n
Delivering a message of reassurance and resolve from the border district of Poonch, Shah said the pause in development caused by recent disturbances is only momentary, and the Union Territory\u2019s progress will soon regain its momentum.<\/p>\n
The home minister lauded the bravery and readiness of the armed forces and the civil administration, acknowledging the sacrifice of a senior official during the recent India-Pakistan military conflict. He also praised the administration\u2019s swift response in evacuating civilians to safer places during the shelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe development of Jammu and Kashmir will neither stop nor slow down. The pace that began in 2014 will continue. Anyone who tries to harm us will receive a strong and befitting reply,\u201d Shah said, addressing people here.<\/p>\n
Shah said that immediately after Prime Minister Modi assumed office in 2014, a decision was taken to construct bunkers along the border to protect civilians. \u201cMore than 9,500 bunkers have been built so far, which played a crucial role in saving lives in the last three days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the Government of India, in coordination with the UT administration, will build more bunkers in the coming days to further enhance civilian protection in border areas.<\/p>\n
Standing firmly with the residents of the border region, Shah said, \u201cThe entire nation and the governments of India and Jammu and Kashmir stand with you like a rock. The acts committed by terrorists and Pakistan will only make India\u2019s defence policy stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reiterating Prime Minister Modi\u2019s firm stance on terrorism, Shah asserted, \u201cTerror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. Blood and water cannot flow together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stressing on peace and progress, Shah said, \u201cI assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the development that began in 2014 will resume with full force. Anyone who tries to disrupt it will be given a powerful and befitting reply.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Union home minister said that Pakistan committed a \u201chighly condemnable act\u201d by carrying out intense shelling in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, and asserted that India responded by precisely targeting terror infrastructure across the border without harming any civilians.<\/p>\n
Calling the recent shelling \u201cthe worst in Poonch since Independence,\u201d Shah said civilian homes, temples, gurudwaras, and mosques were targeted by Pakistan. \u201cThis is a highly condemnable act. Pakistan used civilians as human shields. Only after this provocation, our forces responded with strength and precision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Shah visited the affected region to express solidarity and announced that a special relief package would soon be introduced by the Centre for damaged homes, businesses, and religious sites. \u201cWe have already provided appointment letters to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack. This can never compensate for the loss, but it is a step in sharing their burden,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lauding the swift response of the administration and security forces, Shah said, \u201cEven senior officers made sacrifices. The LG, administration, and police worked tirelessly to evacuate residents from shelling zones and ensure safety.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Poonch\/Jammu, May 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the development of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will not stop or slow down despite recent provocations, and warned that those attempting to harm India will face a \u201cstrong and decisive\u201d response. Delivering a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4193","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jammu"},"yoast_head":"\n