'Operation Sindoor' Biggest Ever Response To Terrorism: Defence Minister

While addressing troops at Srinagar's Badami Bagh Cantonment where the headquarters of the Army's 15 Corps (also known as Chinar Corps) are located, the Defence Minister said, “I think, ‘Operation Sindoor’ is the largest action taken by India against terrorism in its history. For thirty to forty years, India has been facing terrorism unleashed from across the border. Today, India has made it clear to the entire world that we can go to any extent against terrorism”.

He said that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track, identify, and punish every terrorist involved in any act of terror on her soil, reflecting the country's resolve that terrorism will not be tolerated, and the nation will pursue justice relentlessly, both domestically and beyond its borders.

He said the terrorists killed innocents in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam based on their 'dharam' (religion) and the action taken against them was based on their ‘karam' (deed). He asserted that the Pahalgam terror attack was aimed at striking a blow at India’s brow and to break the country’s social unity. “They struck at our forehead but we have inflicted wounds on their chest," he added, referring to 'Operation Sindoor'.

Mr. Singh said that the remedy for Pakistan's wounds lies in its stopping harbouring anti-India and terrorist organizations and not allowing its soil to be used against India. “You will remember that about twenty-one years ago, in front of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, the same Pakistan made a declaration in Islamabad that terrorism would no longer be exported from its soil. But Pakistan has betrayed India, Pakistan has deceived India and is still deceiving it. Now it has paid a heavy price for this,” he said. He warned Islamabad that if terrorism continued to be unleashed on India from its soil, “this price will keep increasing.”

It is Mr. Singh's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' to target ‘terror infrastructures' in Pakistan and Pakistan -occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on the night of May 7. He said, “The success of ‘Operation Sindoor’ has made it clear to the terrorist organizations hiding in Pakistan and their masters that they should not consider themselves safe and secure anywhere. They are now the targets of the Indian forces. The world knows that our forces are precise in their targeting, and when they take aim, they leave the counting of casualties to the enemies,” he said.

He lauded the people of J&K for their unequivocally and strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and uniting against the menace of terrorism. “I salute the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the way they voiced their anger against terrorism,” he said, asserting that in it there was a powerful message and a writing on the wall for Pakistan.

The Defence Minister who was accompanied by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior Army commanders and government functionaries said he had come to Srinagar as a ‘postman’ to convey the greetings and appreciation of the countrymen to the armed forces for their selfless service, valour and dedication while executing 'Operation Sindoor' successfully. “I believe 'Operation Sindoor' is, so far, the biggest ever response to the terrorism by India. Terrorists killed innocent people on 'dharam' and we have destroyed them for their 'karam',” he said.

Reiterating that the Prime Minister has redefined the policy against terrorism, he said, “Shri Narendra Modi has clearly redefined India’s policy against terrorism in unequivocal terms, stating that any terrorist attack on Indian soil will be considered an act of war,” he said.

Referring to the ceasefire announced by the two countries’ military leaderships on May 10, the Defence Minister said that as resolved, a befitting response will be given to Pakistan if there are any kind of violations (of the ceasefire agreement). “The understanding between the two countries is based on the premise that there will be no illegal actions from across the border. If such actions occur, the repercussions will be far-reaching”, he said.

The Defence Minister said India has never been a votary of war “but when the country’s sovereignty is attacked, we will respond”. He added that New Delhi has made it clear to the whole world that we can go to any extent against terrorism.

Reaffirming India's stand that talks and terrorism cannot go together; he said any two-way dialogue with Pakistan will be only on return of PoJK and end to terrorism. “Our Prime Minister has made it clear that terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand, and if there is to be a dialogue, it will be on terrorism and PoJK,” he said.

The Defence Minister said that the severity of India’s commitment against terrorism is evident from the fact that it has disregarded the neighbouring country’s nuclear blackmail and the whole world has seen how. He doubted if the nuclear weapons in the possession of Pakistan were safe and sought international intervention in this matter. He suggested that these weapons should be taken under monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a global nuclear watchdog.

“Pakistan has threatened India with nuclear attacks several times in an irresponsible manner. Today, from the land of Srinagar, I want to raise this question before the entire world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? I believe that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be placed under the supervision of the IAEA, that is, the International Atomic Energy Agency. I want to say this and say it very clearly”, he said.

During his visit, the Defence Minister will review the operational preparedness of the armed forces and overall security of the Himalayan region, the official sources said. Mr. Singh was shown the shells that were dropped by the Pakistani drones on Srinagar last week.