PoK is crown jewel of India, foreign territory to Pak: Rajnath

JAMMU, Jan 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is incomplete without Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling it the “crown jewel” of India. He added that PoK is nothing more than a foreign territory to Pakistan.
Singh made these comments while speaking at the 9th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day celebrations at the Tanda Artillery Brigade in Akhnoor, Jammu.
“Since 1965, Pakistan has been fostering illegal infiltration and terrorism to destabilize the region and influence the local population. However, the people of J&K have consistently rejected Pakistan’s designs,” Singh said. He emphasized that Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in India.
“Even today, over 80% of terrorists infiltrating India are from Pakistan,” he added, noting that the opportunity to end terrorism in 1965 was lost when the then-government failed to capitalize on the strategic advantages gained on the battlefield.
Rajnath Singh urged Pakistan to end its “nefarious designs” and said the security situation in the region has improved significantly since the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“PoK is the crown jewel of India, and it remains nothing more than foreign territory to Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK,” the Defence Minister affirmed.
Singh also highlighted that the Modi-led government has been working to integrate J&K more fully with the rest of the country, and described the abrogation of Article 370 as a critical step toward achieving this goal.
The Defence Minister also commemorated the 2025 Diamond Jubilee of the 1965 Indo-Pak War, marking India’s victory due to the courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.
“Pakistan has lost every war it fought with India—whether it was in 1948, 1965, 1971, or the Kargil War of 1999,” Singh said, emphasizing India’s consistent military success.
He also expressed concern for the people living in PoK, stating that they are being denied a dignified life by Pakistan. Singh accused Pakistan of misleading the people of PoK, provoking them against India under the guise of religion.
“PoK has become a hub for terrorism, with terrorist training camps and launch pads operating in areas near the border,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister reiterated that India will forever be indebted to its Armed Forces, whose sacrifices have ensured the security of the nation. He emphasized that respect for soldiers is embedded in India’s values, with Veterans’ Day celebrations serving as an example of the country’s gratitude. Singh also used the occasion to interact with ex-servicemen and express his gratitude to both retired and active Armed Forces personnel for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice.
The Defence Minister also hoisted a 108-foot-high National Flag and inaugurated the ‘Akhnoor Heritage Museum,’ which celebrates the region’s rich history and culture. Located on NH-144A, which connects Jammu to Poonch, the museum showcases the heritage and legacy of the area.