Narendra Modi accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war in Kashmir on Tuesday as he became the first Indian prime minister to visit the town of Kargil since more than 1,000 died in a battle fought there 15 years ago.
Modi landed in the remote Himalayan town a day after India and its rival Pakistan traded accusations of ceasefire violations on their disputed border.
He is the first Indian leader to visit the highly sensitive area since a 1999 Pakistan army incursion triggered a low intensity conflict between the two countries.
Since then, India has maintained a heavy military presence in Muslim-majority Kargil, in the remote mountainous region of Ladakh.
“There was a time when prime ministers never visited the state. I have come here two times already,” said the prime minister, who was decked out in a traditional Ladakhi gold-coloured robe and hat for the occasion.
“We want to make jobs available for the youth. We want educational institutions for the youth… The government is committed to developing tourism in this region.” He promised.
