Defence minister says, Pak tries to bleed India with thousand cuts

By Our Special Correspondent

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Pakistan is continuously trying to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir through its approach of “bleed India with a thousand cuts”, but warned that a befitting reply will be given if attempt is made to hurt the unity and integrity of the nation.

Rajnath, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, visited areas along the Line of Control in North Kashmir to review the security situation along the border. He was accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and other senior Army officials who briefed the Defense Minister on the operational readiness of the troops and anti-incursion measures.

“Our security forces are such a protective shield for this country that whoever tries to break it bleeds him. The nation has immense faith in our forces that are always ready to deal with any situation,” Singh added. He said the country has immense confidence in our forces. "Due to their relentless efforts, the number of terrorist activities in J&K has dropped significantly." More than 100 militants have been killed so far in encounters in the valley this year.

Army Staff Chief General Manoj Pandey, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, GoC 15 Corps Lieutenant General AS Aujla and GoC 19 Infantry Division Major General Ajay Chandpuria accompanied the Minister. An official spokesman said he had been briefed on the operational readiness of the armed forces.

Rajnath will visit the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports in Pahalgam on Friday. He will also attend the 200th coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh in Jammu.