Dattatreya Hosabale lauded the security forces for "foiling Pakistan's terror attempts". (File)
Calling the people of Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) the first victims of the Indo-Pak conflict, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Sunday the people of the region are looking toward India for freedom from Pakistan.
Mr Hosabale, the second in command at the RSS after its chief Mohan Bhagwat, said Pakistan repeatedly tried to destabilise India but its attempts were thwarted by the security forces and patriotic people.
Addressing an event, Mr Hosabale said large parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh continue to be under Pakistan's illegal occupation after it attacked Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.
"The people of PoJK were the first victims. They should get complete justice. They pity themselves today. They are looking towards India as to when they will get freedom," he said.
He said lakhs of people, who were forced out of the area, are living in different parts of the country.
"There is hardly a family which did not lose a member (during the attack). Despite facing such misfortune, they have contributed to building this nation. While living in Jammu and Kashmir, they have become partners in nation building," the RSS leader said.
Pakistan attacked Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and committed many atrocities, even genocide, but the Indian Army secured the erstwhile princely state from the clutches of Pakistan, he said.
"Pakistan killed 20,000-25,000 people in Mirpur city alone... similar atrocities were perpetrated in other parts," he said.
He lauded the security forces and local people for foiling Pakistan's terror attempts.
"While remembering the glory and the courage of those who sacrificed their lives for the country, during the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav' we are also commemorating the Kargil Vijay Divas. Today is a golden day for me as I am with the families of those who laid down their lives for the country. We got freedom after the struggle of many generations", he said.
He urged the new generations to remember the sacrifices of the patriots and take a pledge to make India great.
"Pakistan has cast its evil eye on Jammu and Kashmir since Independence. Pakistan has been spreading terrorism and separatism since 1947 in a bid to destabilise the country," he said and praised the security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir for sparing no efforts to safeguard the country.
He said many provisions of the Indian Constitution were earlier not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee to launch the first mass movement against it.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)