NEW DELHI: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said the surgical strike against terrorists’ launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) was successful and that the country was prepared for any eventuality.
He also said that the Brigade Commander of Uri was removed following Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag’s decision, a day after Army officers at the Headquarters in New Delhi said no such order has been issued against K Somashanker.
“Surgical strikes against terrorists’ launch pads were successful. We are prepared for any eventuality,” he told a news channel.
Taking a dig at Pakistan, Parrikar said, “My mother always told me if you go into a forest hunting for a rabbit, you have to be prepared for a tiger.”
Asked about the removal of Somashanker, he said the decision was taken by the Army chief since a probe is on to ascertain the lapses that led to the attack.
“Moving out the Uri brigade commander was a call taken by Army chief assessing if there were gaps in SOPs at Uri,” he said. Parrikar added that there was a need for an impartial probe into possible security lapses at Uri.
The minister also said that efforts are on to secure the release of Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chauhan, currently in Pakistan’s custody after inadvertently crossing over the border. Parrikar said that a well-established mechanism has been activated at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level to ensure Chauhan’s release.
{{/usCountry}}The minister also said that efforts are on to secure the release of Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chauhan, currently in Pakistan’s custody after inadvertently crossing over the border. Parrikar said that a well-established mechanism has been activated at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level to ensure Chauhan’s release.
{{/usCountry}}(With inputs from HTC in Pune)