Terrorists will not succeed in their designs: PM

A day after the militant strike in Srinagar left eight soldiers dead, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the entire country is standing united against terrorists and they will not succeed in their designs.

"I want to pay my tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives while fighting the terrorists," Singh said in his speech after inaugurating 850 MW Rattle power project in Kishtwar along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The prime minister said the entire country is standing united against the terrorists. "The terrorists will not succeed in their designs."

Security is a pre-requisite for development, the prime minister said as he paid tributes to the soldiers killed in militant strike on Monday, asserting such attacks would not deter efforts to bring normalcy in the state.

Gandhi also condoled the death of army personnel in the militant attack.

"Our analysis is that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has shown considerable improvement. The terrorist-related violence in 2012 had shown a sharp decline and was the lowest in last two decades," the prime minister said.

However, Singh said there was a need to keep a constant vigil to prevent attacks like the one that took place at Hyderpora.

On the power front, the prime minister said the Centre will provide all help to Jammu and Kashmir in overcoming the power shortage and announced several steps in this direction, including additional 150 MW supply from the Northern Grid. Singh said that J-K was drawing 1664 MW from the Northern Grid which did not suffice the needs of the state.

"I announce an additional 150 MW for the state to meet its power requirements. I also hope that other projects like Uri II project in Baramulla will be completed soon and the state will receive power from it," he said.

Singh said a transmission line costing Rs 1629 crore between Srinagar and Leh is being laid, which will meet the electricity needs of people in Ladakh region throughout year.

The prime minister said the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation has taken five ITIs and plans to take two more for imparting training to the youth for working in power projects.

He said the Power Grid Corporation will also set up a training institute at Kangan in Ganderbal district.