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‘Armed forces were given full freedom to choose targets’: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha
Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha the aim of Operation Sindoor was to punish Pakistan for waging a proxy war through terrorism.
Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the Indian armed forces were given full freedom to choose their targets and give a befitting reply to Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
“The overall politico-military objective of Operation Sindoor was to punish Pakistan for waging a proxy war in the form of terrorism. That is why the armed forces were given complete freedom to choose their targets and give a strong response,” Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha.
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He said the objective of Operation Sindoor was not to start a war, but to demonstrate the use of force in a way that compelled the adversary to bow down.
“On the morning of May 10, when the Indian Air Force struck multiple Pakistani airfields, Pakistan admitted defeat and tried to end hostilities,” Rajnath Singh said.
Rajnath Singh also told the House that Operation Sindoor has been paused, not terminated, adding that if Pakistan attempts any misadventure in the future, the operation will be resumed.
Tri-service response forced Pakistan to bow down: Rajnath Singh
“The Indian Air Force's powerful strikes, the Indian Army's strong response along the Line of Control, and the Indian Navy's offensive posturing compelled Pakistan to back down,” Rajnath Singh added.
Rajnath Singh also said that India once spoke the language of peace through initiatives like the Lahore bus journey, but after Pakistan failed to respond appropriately, the country answered with strong actions like the Balakot strike.
“India first extends hand of friendship, but it also knows how to twist the wrist if any country betrays it,” said Rajnath Singh.
He also told the House during the debate on Operation Sindoor that the Opposition should ask whether any of India’s brave soldiers were harmed.
“The answer is no, not a single one of our soldiers was harmed,” Rajnath Singh said.
“The Opposition should ask whether Operation Sindoor was successful. The answer is yes,” Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha.
