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On Kargil Diwas, Rajnath Singh's sharp warning to Pakistan: ‘Response beyond imagination’

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said, It “showed what will be the fate of those who indulge in terrorism”.

Updated on: Jul 26, 2026, 13:21:56 IST
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Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, issued a strong warning to Pakistan, saying that every "misadventure" by the neighbouring country would invite a response "beyond their imagination".

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks during a commemorative event on the eve of 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras, in Ladakh  on Saturday. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks during a commemorative event on the eve of 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras, in Ladakh on Saturday. (ANI)

Addressing a gathering in Dras on Sunday, Singh also ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan except on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"There will be no talks with Pakistan other than on PoK, a part of India that was illegally occupied," the defence minister said, reiterating the Centre's long-standing position on the issue.

The minister said India is building data centres while Pakistan is creating "radical centres", drawing a sharp contrast between the two countries.

Also Read | Kargil Diwas: The war was won, but India still needs to learn its hardest lesson

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said the operation had demonstrated the consequences for those who support or indulge in terrorism. "Operation Sindoor showed what will be the fate of those who indulge in terrorism," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

The defence minister's remarks came as the nation marked Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War and paying tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the conflict.

‘No shortage of political will’s

Rajnath Singh said India's armed forces have always had the capability to defend the country, but what was missing in the past was political will.

"It is not that our armed forces lacked capability in the past. They were powerful then as well. The only thing that was lacking was political will. From this platform, I want to assure you that there is no shortage of political will in the Central Government, nor will there be in the future...We know that as long as you are guarding our borders and protecting the nation, no one will have the courage to cast an evil eye on India," Singh said.

"The time has passed when those in Delhi did not prioritize the armed forces. Today, there is a government in Delhi that gives the armed forces the freedom to take decisive action in the interest of India's security," he added.

Invoking the spirit of the Kargil War, Rajnath Singh recalled Captain Vikram Batra's iconic slogan "Yeh Dil Maange More", saying it reflected the resolve and courage of Indian soldiers.

"Captain Vikram Batra said, 'Yeh Dil Maange More'. That is the nature of our soldiers. The whole world should understand this, and our neighbour should also understand this," the defence minister said.

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According to Google Trends, the search term "Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026" picked up on Sunday morning and peaked around 9 am on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War.

  • Priyanshu Priya
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    Priyanshu Priya

    Priyanshu Priya is a journalist with nearly three years of newsroom experience, driven by a deep belief that stories, when told right, can shape conversations and hold power to account. Currently working as a Senior Content Producer with Hindustan Times, she writes on a wide spectrum of issues, from Indian politics and Delhi’s public concerns to global trade tensions and high-stakes crime stories. Priya joined HT at a pivotal moment, as Operation Sindoor was unfolding, and has since covered some of the most defining developments in recent times. Her reporting spans the Air India plane crash and the Pahalgam terror attack to India–US trade tensions, unrest in the Middle East, and key Assembly elections across states. She thrives in the fast-paced world of breaking news. In 2025–26, she was recognised with the Hindustan Times Digi Journo of the Q3 Award for driving over 4 million page views in a single month. A postgraduate in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and a Mass Communication graduate from Patna Women’s College, Priya began her news career with the Zee News English team, where she extensively covered the Lok Sabha Election 2024, along with the Delhi and Maharashtra Assembly elections. When she’s not tracking or writing the next big development, she unwinds by watching series and films, reading books with strong female protagonists, and revisiting comfort shows for the familiar ease they bring when life feels a little too jittery.Read More

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