Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday hit out at Pakistan accusing it of supporting terrorists and disrupting the peace and harmony in the state, where the Republic Day functions passed off peacefully.
Malik said repeated attempts to infiltrate terrorists into India and ceasefire violations have brought hardship to the people living near the border, adding that the government is taking required measures in the issue.
He expressed gratitude to the military and state police for working maintaining peace, unity and integrity in the state.
“The government is taking required measures to alleviate their sufferings as notwithstanding the tough terrain, climate and other challenges, our security forces continue to maintain strict vigil and alertness on our frontiers,” J-K Governor said.
“We salute the brave Army and police jawans who have made supreme sacrifices for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the state. The nation remains indebted (to them),” Malik added.
“It is a matter of deep anguish that a number of our youth, some of whom were pursuing professional studies, were influenced by extremist ideologies to pick up the gun and join groups which perpetrate violence,” the Governor said.
The J-K governor said the government has strengthened the discourse of peace and also urged the people of the state to extend their active cooperation and support.
“A number of precious and innocent lives have been lost due to mindless and dastardly violence,” Malik said even as two Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed in the outskirts of Srinagar city minutes before the celebrations kicked off.
Two AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from their possession after both were killed in Khonmoh area. The police sources said they had planned to disrupt the Republic Day functions in Srinagar.
Malik took salute at a parade in which smartly turned out contingents of armed forces, police and school children took part.
Amid heightened security, the main parade in the Kashmir Valley was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket Stadium in the city. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, advisor to Governor Malik, unfurled the tricolour and took salute at the parade.
As a precaution, mobile Internet services were suspended by the authorities in the Kashmir Valley till the Republic Day functions ended. They would be restored by afternoon.
Official functions were also held at other district headquarters.
Separatists had called for a shutdown in the Valley on Saturday and appealed to people to observe it as a ‘black day’ to attract international attention towards the Kashmir dispute.
(With inputs from IANS)