IAEA Should Monitor Pak Nuclear Weapons: Rajnath

“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 while addressing troops at Srinagar’s Badami Bagh cantonment where the headquarters of the Army’s 15 Corps (also known as the Chinar Corps) is located.

He said India’s commitment to fight against terrorism was evident from the fact that it has disregarded the neighbouring country’s nuclear blackmail and the whole world has seen how. Asserting that Operation Sindoor was the biggest-ever response to terrorism and a resolute message to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam carnage that such heinous acts will face unrelenting consequences. “We have inflicted wounds on the terrorists' chest.”

The defence minister said: “I think Operation Sindoor is the largest action taken by India against terrorism in its history. For 30 to 40 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 had vowed to track, identify, and punish every terrorist involved in any act of terror on its 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.

Singh said that the remedy for Pakistan's wounds lay in its stopping harbouring anti-India and terrorist organisations and not allowing its soil to be used against India. “You will remember that about 21 years ago, in front of Shri Atal Behari 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 was Singh's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after India launched Operation Sindoor. He said: “The success of Operation Sindoor has made it clear to terrorist organisations 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 Gen. Upendra Dwivedi and 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.