Sending a strong message to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday stated that India will give befitting reply to those who will try to disrupt peace in the country.
News18 quoted Rajnath Singh saying that if any terrorist thinks that they can flee to Pakistan following disrupting peace in India, then they will be followed and taken down on foreign soil also. “Ghus ke maarenge”, thundered Defence Minister.
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“Pakistan knows the capability of India, it has started understanding it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken the truth only in this regard”, he said.
When asked about a report published in ‘The Guardian’ that India has Indian government ordered assassinations in Pakistan in order to eliminate terrorists on the Pakitsani soil, he denied all such claims terming them as “false and malicious anti-India propaganda”.
The ministry reiterated an earlier statement from India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, denying that targeted killings in other countries reflected the government’s policy.
Singh, during the interview, underscored India’s commitment to maintaining friendly relations with its neighbors, citing India’s historical stance of non-aggression and territorial respect. However, he cautioned that any attempt to intimidate India through terrorist activities on its soil would face consequences.
Addressing the issue of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), Singh asserted that the region has been, is, and will always be an integral part of India. He expressed confidence that the people of PoK would themselves seek to reunite with India, citing recent demonstrations in favor of integration. Singh noted the return of normalcy and accelerated development in Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370.
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Regarding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Singh indicated that its revocation in the Valley was imminent, pending a decision from the Home Ministry. He echoed similar sentiments expressed by Home Minister Amit Shah in a recent interview with the JK Media Group.
AFSPA grants broad powers to armed forces personnel operating in disturbed areas, including search, arrest, and use of force for public order maintenance. Singh disclosed plans to gradually withdraw troops from the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, entrusting law and order responsibilities to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
He emphasized efforts to strengthen the UT’s police force, highlighting their evolving role in handling violent incidents with reduced reliance on central forces. Singh remarked on the transformation in public perception of the UT’s police, noting their increasing trustworthiness and effectiveness in managing security operations.