Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Tuesday that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He also warned Pakistan to stop operating terrorist training camps in the region.

"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," Rajnath Singh remarked while speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day event here. According to him, the central government of Lal Bahadur Shastri might have prevented cross-border terrorism by turning the war's tactical advantage into a strategic one.

"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," he said. In addition, the minister of defence said, "Our Muslim brothers have sacrificed their lives fighting against terrorism." He emphasised that Pakistan is the source of over 80% of terrorists that enter India.

According to him, closing "whatever gap exists between Kashmir and the rest of the country" is one of the centre's key priorities. "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," he said.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir said that veterans are the ones who sacrificed all for the nation. "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 die 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.

"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," he added.