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Prime minister Narendra Modi began a packed Diwali day on Thursday with a visit to Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir, the world's highest battlefield. From here he will go to the capital Srinagar, which is still recovering from the worst floods the state has seen in 100 years.
Here are the latest developments in this story:
- This morning, PM Modi tweeted, "Friends, I am leaving for the Siachen Glacier. It's my good fortune that I will be able to spend time with our brave soldiers on this special day." He will be the first Prime Minister to visit Siachen in 10 years.
- In a series of tweets, the PM paid tribute to thousands of soldiers, who, he said, stand firm, protecting the country. "Be it the altitude or bitter cold, nothing deters our soldiers. They stand there, serving our Nation. They make us truly proud," he said on Twitter.
- Ahead of his visit to the state, Pakistani troops fired with small arms at an Indian post in the Ramgarh sector in Jammu in violation of the ceasefire. India's Border Security Force or BSF said they retaliated. No damage has been reported.
- Later this afternoon, the Prime Minister will visit Srinagar, which is still recovering from the floods last month, the worst the state has seen in 100 years. He will reportedly review rehabilitation measures and visit a relief camp.
- PM Modi is expected to announce a central package for flood victims before flying back to Delhi in the evening.
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Let's just appreciate that @narendramodi is in Srinagar on his festival & not at home celebrating as he normally would have been doing (sic)."
- This will be his fourth visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge as prime minister in May.
- Close to 300 died and more than 1.5 million people were affected by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Modi visited Srinagar once before to survey the large-scale damage.
- Since he became Prime Minister, PM Modi, 64, has used most major holidays to connect with the people. On Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2, he launched the "Swachh Bharat" or Clean India campaign. On Dussehra, he had addressed the nation on radio.
- The Election Commission could soon announce dates for elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The state is due for polls by November.