3 cross-border strikes against Pak in 5 years: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that India carried out three cross-border strikes in the last five years. The minister, however, refused to reveal the details about the third strike.

Addressing the Shakti Kendra Pramukhs from DK, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga constituencies here on Saturday, Rajnath said, “Our Armed Forces have gone beyond our borders thrice in the last five years. We all know about the surgical strike carried out by our commandos after the terrorists struck the Army camp at Uri and the airstrike after Pulwama terror attack on CRPF jawans. The government cannot reveal about the third strike carried out by our Armed Forces.”

Issuing a stern warning to Pakistan, Rajnath said, “India will not provoke anyone. But if Pakistan continues to promote and shelter terrorists, then it will have to pay a heavy price for it.”

The Union Home Minister said, “IAF pilots were on a ‘targeted mission’ to destroy terrorist camps on Pakistan soil, based on a credible intelligence input, and did not go there to shower petals.

Rajnath said that the pre-emptive attack on Balakot camp left Pakistan demoralised. Unfortunately, a few people in India were in a state of shock and had been demanding proof for the air strike on Pakistan soil, he said.

“The brave warriors do not count people who were killed in a war. However, the Congress and other opposition parties are misleading and are demanding proof of the strike. They give respect to terrorists by calling them “Osamaji,” Hafizji,” he mocked.
He added, “Such people (opposition) do not have a clear policy to counter terrorism. They do not believe in the power of our soldiers. All political parties should unitedly tackle terrorism. We have strengthened our internal and external security,” he said and added that nothing can stop India from its fight against terrorism.

The BJP wants India to become the world leader and it will join the league of top three nations by 2028. Though opposition parties have been accusing the BJP of following discrimination based on religion, the Union minister said the party firmly believes in “justice to all and appeasement of none.”

On a recent attack of Kashmiris in Uttar Pradesh, Rajanth said, “Kashmiri students are studying all over the country. They need to be protected and safeguarded. An advisory in this regard has already been issued to all the states and union territories. He appealed to the BJP workers to stand by
Kashmiri students as Kashmiris are Indians.”