Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said in Rajya Sabha that Operation Sindoor’s aim was to send a message that India will show zero tolerance against terrorism and punish Pakistan’s use of terror for a proxy war. He said the operation was a game-changer as it changed the perception that India is a soft state and added that the country had sent a clear message that it will go to any extent to act against terror.
Initiating the special discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Upper House, Singh said that following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, the government gave a “free hand” to the armed forces to respond. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the three service chiefs. I was also present; a free hand was given to use their wisdom, strategic understanding to decide on the response,” Singh said.
“Our action was in self-defence and not expansionist… The aim was to destroy terrorist bases and send a message of zero tolerance against terrorism. The overall political-military objective of Operation Sindoor was punishing Pakistan’s use of terror for a proxy war.”
On May 10 morning, Singh said, India’s strong attack on Pakistan’s multiple airfields forced them to accept defeat and offer an end to hostilities. “We accepted only on the condition that the operation was suspended, not ended. We will not hesitate to resume the operation if there are terrorist activities in the future.”
Responding to the Opposition’s statement that India should have captured Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the minister expressed surprise. “I am surprised at this demand, because when they were in power, they did just the opposite.” “There would come a day, I cannot predict when, but a day would come when people in PoK would be able to say proudly that they are Indians,” he said.
Criticising the Opposition’s question on how many jets were shot down, Singh said, “They never asked how many we shot down. I have information on each one of them and if I speak openly, the House will reverberate with applause for 10 minutes,” he said.
The Defence Minister also said that past governments, too, should have taken action against Pakistan for harbouring terror… Quoting from former President and Union minister Pranab Mukherjee’s book The Coalition Years, Singh said, “India had evidence terrorists used Karachi port (during 26/11)… There was a demand for military intervention which I rejected, there was a heated debate in the Cabinet.”
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He said, “The then government did what they felt was right. This is not a criticism of the government or ministers…but today’s India thinks differently under (PM Narendra) Modi’s leadership. India is not satisfied with just handing dossiers, we give a fitting response.”
Singh also said Pakistan as the vice-chair of UNSC counter-terrorism committee was like “having a cat guard milk”.
