PM expresses grief for Leh victims; assures all help to J&K govt

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today assured the Jammu and Kashmir government of all the help in the rehabilitation of the victims of the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in Leh region on Friday.

The prime minister started a meeting here with an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir with a minute's silence in memory of those killed in the natural calamity and said the entire country was with the people of the state in their hour of sorrow.

"I welcome you today with grief in my heart, but hope in my mind. I grieve for all those who have lost their near and dear ones in Kashmir and in the Ladakh region," he said.

"The government of India will continue to provide relief and other assistance and help the state government in providing rehabilitation for all those affected by the unfortunate natural disaster in Ladakh. The whole country is with the people of J&K in their hour of sorrow," the PM said.