Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that India has drawn a new red line under which any act of terror will be treated as an act of war, and the country will give the enemy a fitting response. He called upon citizens to take a pledge on Independence Day to make Jammu and Kashmir terror-free.
“India has drawn a new red line. Any act of terror will be considered an act of war, and we will give the enemy a fitting response. On this day, let us also pledge to foil the efforts of terrorists and dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism to make Jammu and Kashmir terror-free,” Sinha said in a message on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.
He thanked the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies, and all personnel involved in Operation Sindoor for their bravery and commitment in avenging the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, including 25 tourists and a local resident.
The LG paid tribute to the civilian martyrs and also saluted the valiant soldiers of the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police for their role in Operation Mahadev, which recently neutralized three Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
Sinha expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and J&K Police for their vigilance and protection of citizens, which has enabled peace and progress in the Union Territory.
Reflecting on his five-year tenure, Sinha said, “In the past five years, my effort has been to build a Jammu and Kashmir envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. Kashmir is now connected to India’s rail network, fulfilling the dream of a Kashmir–Kanyakumari rail link, and industrial development has taken deep roots.”
Quoting Gandhi, Sinha said, “I will work for an India where the poorest of the poor feel that this country belongs to them and that they have a major role in its construction.” He added that the benefits of unprecedented economic growth have reached all sections of society, empowering women, youth, and farmers, and improving ease of living in both urban and rural areas.
Sinha urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to work collectively towards a Viksit Bharat, emphasizing the importance of patriotic participation in initiatives like Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan.
Referring to the cloudburst tragedy in Chashoti, Kishtwar, he expressed condolences to the affected families and assured that the government is providing all necessary assistance.
The Lieutenant Governor also extended felicitations to farmers, workers, teachers, professionals, scientists, business communities, and Nari Shakti for their contributions to the socio-economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Jammu and Kashmir has received a strong development thrust in the past five years. Today, it is prosperous, peaceful, just, and inclusive. Democracy is stronger, and the UT is moving forward with self-confidence, fully committed to nation-building. We march together with one identity as Indians, determined to serve Mother India till our last breath,” Sinha said. (Agencies)
