Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, June 6, 2025, strongly condemned Pakistan for targeting tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, calling it an attack on "insaniyat" (humanity) and "Kashmiriyat" (the cultural identity of Kashmir). Speaking at a public rally in Katra, Reasi district, after inaugurating several development projects, including the first train service to the Kashmir Valley and the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, Modi asserted that Pakistan's intention was to incite communal clashes within India and deprive the people of Kashmir, who heavily rely on tourism, of their livelihoods.
Modi highlighted that tourism has been on the rise in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years, providing employment and acting as a bridge between people. He lamented that Pakistan, as an "enemy of humanity, harmony, and tourism," deliberately targeted this sector to destroy the livelihoods of those dependent on it, including guides, pony operators, guest house owners, shopkeepers, and roadside eatery operators. He referenced Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony owner who lost his life trying to protect tourists during the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing that Adil was simply trying to earn a living.
The Prime Minister assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the Pahalgam terror attack would not deter the ongoing development initiatives in the region. He promised to stand as a shield against anyone attempting to obstruct the dreams and aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He also lauded the bravery of the border residents who faced indiscriminate cross-border shelling by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and announced additional relief for families whose houses were damaged, with ₹2 lakh for completely damaged houses and ₹1 lakh for partially damaged ones.
Modi also touched upon Operation Sindoor, India's counter-terror operation launched in response to the Pahalgam attack. He stated that the operation, which targeted terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control, served as a reminder of Pakistan's "shameful defeat." He emphasized that India's stated policy is that any talks with Pakistan would only be on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Furthermore, the Prime Minister inaugurated multiple development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore for Katra, including the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, constructed at a cost of around ₹43,780 crore. This project, featuring 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, aims to establish all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, transforming regional mobility and driving socio-economic integration. He also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Srinagar with Katra.
PM Modi emphasized that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project is a symbol of a new and empowered Jammu and Kashmir and a testament to India's growing strength. He stated that the Chenab and Anji bridges would serve as gateways to prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir and that the completion of the USBRL project fulfills the saying "from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," uniting India through rail connectivity.
