Committed to rehabilitate those who have been displaced in J& k Narendra Modi in Kargil

Kargil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kargil as part of his official trip to Jammu and Kashmir. He inaugurated the Chutak hydro electric project in the valley. He is the first PM to have visited the restive region after 1999.

Earlier in the day, Modi addressed a rally in Leh and came out strongly against Pakistan for continuing its proxy war of terrorism against India, saying it has lost the strength to fight a conventional war.

Addressing troops of Army and the Indian Air Force on his maiden trip to Leh and Ladakh, Modi condemned the continuing proxy war by Pakistan.

"The neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism," he said.The Prime Minister said the Indian armed forces were suffering more casualties from terrorism than from war.

The Prime Minister said provisions have been made in the Union Budget for modernisation and welfare of the armed forces including 'One Rank One Pension'.

PM Modi inaugurates Chutak hydro electric project in Kargil. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Modi promised the troops that a National War Memorial would be built that would inspire future generations of India. He also told the defence personnel that the government is committed to making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing.

Noting that the country's armed forces deployed in border areas are well-connected with the people who live there, Modi cited the example of the Kargil infiltration, about which the first information was given by a shepherd named Tashi Namgyal.

Before leaving, Modi interacted with the troops and wrote in the visitor's book that peace and security is a pre-requisite for development.

Here are the highlights of his speech in Kargil:

• It is my privilege that I am able to come here and meet all of you
• Power is not only for televisions and mobile phones, it's to power industries in Kashmir
• We are committed to enhancing connectivity in this region
• Its our responsibility to connect people of Kargil with the rest of India
• Our focus is development and taking everyone together on the path of development
• In my government, I won't let officials ask for bribes or let people give bribes
• As the CM just said, today I am hearing the sound of claps but when I came earlier we heard the sound of guns