Following a rare cross-border attack conducted by the Indian Army in Myanmar, Junior Minister for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that based on intelligence “we will carry out surgical strikes at the place and time of our own choosing”.
“Western disturbances will also be equally dealt with,” the information minister said during a press briefing on Wednesday when asked if attacks could be carried out on the western (Pakistan) border, according to a report published on IBNLive.
The statements came after the minister lauded the Indian Army and Air Force for their operation in Myanmar that killed 20 suspected militants on Tuesday.
“Our PM ordered hot pursuit in which two camps were completely annihilated. While the army carried out the strike, helicopters were on stand-by,” he said.
Rathore asserted that attacks on Indians are unacceptable and based on effective intelligence
The minister added that the operations were a message for all neighbours of India who harbour terror groups.
“Friendship and zero tolerance will go hand in hand. This is a beginning. India is strong. This message should go to everyone,” he said.
The minister also hinted that the operation against Myanmar’s northeast terrorists has altered India’s strategy in dealing with such groups.
“I think it was the need of the hour as well, the entire nation wanted it and that’s perhaps a reason why they voted a strong government at the Centre. It had become like a habit [for terrorists]. It is not like a ‘kushti’ match that if you go back into your area nobody will catch you. This message is very critical that we will strike you wherever you are,” he said.
Rathore referred to the surgical strike inside Myanmar as an “unprecedented” and “extremely bold” step by the Indian government.
“Myanmar is a friendly nation and therefore there was complete cooperation, if the need required” Rathore said when asked whether the operation had support of the Myanmar government and army. The minister added that the operation was carried out by the Special Forces “entirely on their own.”
India has long blamed top Pakistan for stoking a revolt in Muslim-majority Kashmir as well as giving material support to militants for attacks in other parts of India, including a bloody 2008 assault in the city of Mumbai.
Pakistan denies the accusation and says it is fighting militants.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has long advocated a tough stance towards Pakistan including the option of hot pursuit of militants. Since coming to power Modi has sought to ease tension but ties remain fragile.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said last month that his Indian counterpart’s recent statement about sponsoring terrorism to counter terrorism had confirmed “our assertions of Indian involvement in terrorist activities on Pakistani soil”.
He had said the statement of Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was a blatant admission of sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.
Last month, the military’s top brass accused the Indian intelligence agency RAW of supporting terrorism in Pakistan. RAW has often been blamed by law-enforcement agencies for being involved in subversive activities in Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had also said the Indian intelligence agency is involved in various terrorist activities across Pakistan.
Chaudhry added that the matter had been taken up “a number of times” at the highest level with India through diplomatic channels.
Lets see you carrying out military strikes in Pakistan if you are the son’s of your fathers. In no time will Ghaznavi or Hatf be flying over Bharat turning you all in to toast. Remember, Pakistan is no Myanmar….we all saw how brave you pig’s were after the 26/11 false flag that only resulted in your own humiliation exposing your weakness in front of the world. All of India is under the Pakistani radar then you also have problems with China together with every other neighbour. The world will thank Pakistan for getting rid of the cancer that is filthy Bharat. Talk is cheap, lets see you actually doing something, if you want to fight then bring it on as many Pakistanis like I also want to drink Bharati blood!!
Yea this guy is a typical son of The Ganges about as threatening as the gum on my shoe that I have to scrape off.
These kinds are only loud when they are in packs or mobs terrorising defenceless innocent Muslims Christians Sikhs and Dalits in India.
I say bring it and don’t cower away and call it a clandestine operation.
Come in daylight and come face 2 face and let’ s see them returning.
We are the sons of the Indus his is our land our heritage. We are the sons of Nadir Shah Zamn Shah Ghauri Abdali and Ghazni – know us from your history.
India is not strong India is a nation of hyenas scavengers who prey on the vulnerables a nation that lives by myths and create another myth that you are capable of a front symmetrical war with Pakistan.
Your success has been through support and sponsorship of terror not a frontal war because when we see our enemy we fight to the very end.
Stick to killing us from the shadows India you don’t have the gaule to face us off over long drawn out war.