Indicating a tough posture of the government, Singh said, “We know how to find a solution and I am assuring that Kashmir issue will be resolved soon and no force can stop it from coming true.”

Singh was addressing a public gathering while inaugurating a 1000 metres bridge over Ujh river in Kathua district, built at a cost of ₹50 crore.

Citing the attempts made by him as Union home minister, Singh said he made numerous attempts to hold dialogue with stakeholders to arrive at some sought of solution which may bring the region out of decades old morass.

“I don’t think any other home minister has taken more initiatives to resolve the issue as I did in my five-year tenure. I tried many times and appealed the stakeholders to come to a negotiating table and find a meaningful solution. I took an all-party delegation to Kashmir to hold talks. But everyone saw, the separatists did not open their door,” said Singh.

Taking a dig at separatists, Singh said, “While such elements entice the gullible youth to pelt stones on the streets, their own children study and work abroad. They instigate youth to demand ‘Azadi’. Are they seeking same freedom as Pakistan.”

“Subversive elements had disturbed the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the security forces have valiantly contained the terrorism in the state. Not in Jammu and Kashmir, the terrorism will end everywhere. The way international community has united to eradicate the menace of terrorism, I feel that entire world will get rid of terrorism,” he said.

Meanwhile, defence minister has described the border dwellers as ‘strategic assets’.

“While the security forces discharge their duties along both the International Border(IB) and Line of Control(LoC), people living on borders play a very strategic role. Unfortunately such people have been neglected since many decades and deprived of development despite their huge contribution,” he said.

Later, defence minister also inaugurated 618 metres Basantar bridge in Samba district, built at the cost of ₹41.7 crore.