Paying rich tributes to the paramilitary forces for their dedication and commitment in fighting terrorism and Maoists, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded their efforts in maintaining peace in the country.

On the second-day of his two-day visit to Kashmir to inaugurate the railway connectivity of Kashmir with the rest of the country at Qazikund, the Prime Minister interacted with the men and officers at CRPF’s Recruit Training Centre, Humhama in outskirts of Srinagar. He was presented the guard of honour on his arrival. Accompanying him on his Kashmir visit, the first one in his second term, were Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Cabinet ministers, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah, both of whom have been chief ministers of the state. The much-awaited visit was significant as Prime Minister not only invited the Separatists to resume talks without any pre-condition, he also extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan.