VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, July 29: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating that if the neighbouring country is unable to curb terrorism on its own soil, India is prepared to assist — even if that means neutralising terror threats across the border.
Speaking during a special discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Operation Sindoor, Singh said India’s counter-offensive following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack has sent a strong and clear message: “India will go to any extent to eliminate terrorism.”
“If Pakistan cannot take action against terrorism, we are ready to help. Our forces are capable of fighting terrorists both inside and outside our borders. This has been demonstrated clearly through Operation Sindoor,” Singh asserted.
Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed, has so far led to the elimination of three terrorists directly involved in the massacre. Singh said the operation has been suspended for now but not terminated. “There is a comma, not a full stop,” he said, making it clear that if Pakistan continues its terror activities, India will not hesitate to relaunch the operation.
“India wants terrorism to end everywhere — even in Pakistan,” Singh said. “Our political-military objective was to punish Pakistan for using terrorism as a proxy war. Our actions were purely in self-defence.”
He credited the successful response to strategic coordination between political leadership and military command. Following the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level security meeting and gave a free hand to the armed forces, Singh said. “Our response was mature, calculated, and strategically sound.”
Singh revealed that it was Pakistan’s own Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) who appealed to India to halt its military action. India agreed to pause, but only under the condition that the operation would remain suspended — and could resume instantly if provoked again.
Congratulating Indian security forces for their swift and decisive action, Singh said, “The three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam killings were neutralised. I salute our forces for this feat.”
He also hit out at opposition parties for questioning India’s stated intent to reclaim Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). “It surprises me when some leaders ask about PoJK. When they were in power, they did nothing. But a day will come when people of PoJK will proudly say they are Indians.”
The Defence Minister used the opportunity to urge the global community to act decisively against Pakistan, particularly in terms of financial support. “A significant chunk of the funds Pakistan receives goes into fuelling terrorism. I appeal to the international community to stop this,” he said.
Singh also criticised the United Nations for allowing Pakistan a position in a key counter-terrorism committee, calling it “deeply disappointing.”
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chairman Harivansh opened the Rajya Sabha session post-lunch by inviting a discussion on Operation Sindoor, urging all members to treat the topic with the seriousness it deserves.
However, the proceedings were briefly disrupted as Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien attempted to raise a point of order unrelated to the discussion. When it was disallowed by the Chair, TMC MPs, joined by members of other INDIA bloc parties, staged a walkout from the House in protest.
Despite the walkout, Singh continued his address, reiterating that India remains committed to rooting out terrorism in all forms and in all places. “Through Operation Sindoor, we have sent an unmistakable signal — India’s fight against terrorism knows no boundaries.”
