Katra, June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan engineered Pahalgam terror attack to hurt Kashmir’s economy and brotherhood in the country, but its evil designs failed and Indian Armed Forces hit the neighbouring country deep inside.



“Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India and disrupt the livelihoods of hardworking Kashmiris. By attacking tourists, Pakistan aimed to damage the region's economy and peace,” Modi said while addressing a massive gathering.



Recalling the start of Operation Sindoor exactly a month back when the Indian Armed Forces targetted the terrorist dens in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Modi said Pakistan will forever remember its shameful defeat.

"Today is June 6. Coincidentally, exactly one month ago on this very night, devastation was unleashed on Pakistan’s terrorists. From now on, whenever Pakistan hears the name Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its shameful defeat," said the Prime Minister.

Modi inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project by flagging off the first Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar from Katra railway station, marking a historic milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s development.



Calling it a "symbol of a new, empowered J&K," the Prime Minister said the USBRL project represents India’s growing strength and unity. “Today’s event is not just the launch of a train; it’s a grand celebration of India’s willpower and unity. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the Kashmir Valley is now linked to the rest of India through the rail network,” Modi said.



Modi said whether it's the Chenab Bridge or the Anji Bridge, both will become means of prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir.



The Chenab Bridge is even taller than the Eiffel Tower, and it will draw many visitors to Kashmir, becoming a major tourist attraction in itself. The Anji Bridge, too, is a remarkable feat of engineering. Both these bridges are not just made of bricks, cement, or steel—they are a living testament to India's strength and determination on the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal mountains.



He said today the dream of lakhs of people of Jammu and Kashmir has been fulfilled. "All the good work has been left for me. It is the good fortune of our government that this project gained momentum during our tenure, and we completed it," Modi said.



Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Now Kashmir to Kanyakumari is not just a slogan. By inaugurating the project, the Prime Minister has connected the two ends of the country”.



Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said rail connectivity will not only help the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also help in transporting fruits and other items to the rest of the country.



Abdullah also thanked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for granting the project of “national importance” and increasing its budget.



Earlier, Modi dedicated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation by flagging off the Vande Bharat train to Srinagar from Katra railway station in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

He also flagged off Vande Bharat in line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

The 272 km-long USBRL project, built with around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country aiming to transform regional mobility and driving socio-economic integration.

This is the Prime Minister's first visit to J&K during ongoing Operation Sindoor and post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed.

Of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first one (118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section) commissioned in October 2009, followed by (18km) Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, (25km) Udhampur-Katra in July 2014 and (48.1 km) Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February last year.

The work on the 46 km Sangaldan-Reasi section was also completed in June last year, leaving a 17-km stretch between Reasi and Katra that was also completed in February-March this year. That led to the start of trial runs, including that of Vande Bharat.

The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will have features like a heating system, anti-spall layers, and automatic doors. The train is designed to operate smoothly in cold weather, down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat will run on the world’s highest railway arch bridge and Anji Bridge built on the Chenab in Reasi district. UNI RBE VBH SSP