New Delhi, May 30 :

New Delhi, May 30 :

Srinagar, May 27 : President Pratibha Patil paid a visit to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in the Trikuta hills during the last leg of her five-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retired) S K Sinha, she flew to the Sanjichat helipad in the Katra belt from Jammu and offered prayers at the shrine.

Srinagar, May 26 : President Pratibha Patil today said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have demonstrated their determination to move ahead on the true and constructive path of peace and progress.

Addressing a function to mark the opening of the Institute of Kashmir Studies here, President Patil said it is important to create a secure environment and defeat divisive designs of terrorism and violence.

"I am aware of the difficulties that the people of this State have undergone due to violence and terrorism," she said.