Srinagar, Sending out a message, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today visited the place in Kashmir's Pulwama district where 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a dastardly bomb attack in February 2019 and asserted that the government will not tolerate terrorism at any cost.
Shah, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir since October 23, spent time with CRPF personnel at the paramilitary force's base in Lethpora and decided to stay there overnight, postponing his return to Delhi till tomorrow.
Lethpora is the place where an explosive-laden vehicle was driven by a suicide bomber into a CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019, killing 40 of the personnel in the most inhuman manner.
The attack, carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), had provoked India to conduct an air strike at the terror group's main training centre in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, 2019.
Pakistan attempted to carry out an air strike against India the next day, bringing the two countries to the brink of a war as tensions escalated.
Shah, while interacting with the CRPF personnel, said the government has 'zero tolerance' for terrorism and would not tolerate it as it is against humanity.
“Our priority should be to safeguard people," the Union Home Minister said.
Referring to the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, he said because of sharp vigil by the security forces, not a single bullet was fired after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“When Article 370 and 35 A were removed, there was a lot of speculation which proved wrong. Much reaction was expected. There were apprehensions of a blood bath. I want to tell you (CRPF and other forces), because of your alertness, not a single bullet was fired. It was a great achievement for all of us,” Shah told the Jawans at the camp.
He praised all the security agencies for ensuring peace in Kashmir when the big decision of scrapping the special status of J&K was taken.
“Such a big decision was taken for the interest for Kashmir,” he said
He said Kashmir was now witnessing a massive development and various institutes are coming to J&K.
The Union Minister said the law and order situation has improved on ground.
He said that between 2004 to 2014, the civilian death toll used to be 208 per year and for forces the figure was 105.
“From 2014 to this year, the civilian deaths have been reduced to 30 and that of forces to 60 from 105 per year,” he said, adding that these figures show that people of J&K have also accepted the decision.
The Minister said there was a time when stone pelting was a norm in Kashmir, but now it has reduced drastically.
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