Modi made the announcement at a press conference at Srinagar airport late in the afternoon, before heading to Raj Bhavan to hold meetings with several political groups.
All of this happened while the city was on lock down as separatists called for a bandh.
more indian armed forces visible than (Kashmiri) civilians on the streets of Srinagar today. #ModiInKashmir pic.twitter.com/JDkfXgQjXA
— Farah Bashir (@FarahBashir) October 23, 2014
At Raj Bhavan, Modi met delegations from the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and his own Bharatiya Janata Party, among others.
Earlier in the day, Modi made a surprise visit to the Siachen to spend time with soldiers on the world's highest battleground. He visited the forward posts in the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region and shared sweets with the soldiers at the Siachen base camp. He announced that preparations were being made to build a National War Memorial.
More soldiers have been killed in this region due to the cold weather than from enemy fire.
Narendra Modi promised War Memorial. Can we please build it in the disputed site in Ayodhya? It will also become symbol of War and Peace
— Joy (@Joydas) October 23, 2014
Army Commander of Siachen saying Thanks to Modi ji for routing out Congress from country pic.twitter.com/Jhge1jQBUc
— Champ-u-terology (@BolshoyBooze) October 23, 2014
In those sunglasses Modi is looking jawan among jawans.
— Pranav why? (@pranavsapra) October 23, 2014
Even if this is politics, i love this kind of politics RT @narendramodi: Sharing sweets with our Jawans at Siachen. pic.twitter.com/G9FSPdZw5K”
— blog link in bio (@indiantweeter) October 23, 2014