Jaipur: In a warning to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday that India took ‘great precaution’ and did not attack Pakistan or its army while carrying out strikes on a terror camp in Balakot but things may change if the neighbouring country does not mend its ways.
Rajnath Singh also said India’s recognition of Pakistan’s existence does not mean it has also accepted the country’s ‘occupation’ of parts of Kashmir.
“We took great precaution and did not attack Pakistan or its army. We targeted only terror training camps in Balakot,” Rajnath Singh said while speaking at an event at a village near here. “Par agar aage aisa hi chalta raha, toh kuch kaha nahi ja sakta (but if it continues like this, then things may change),” asserted the Defence Minister.
Army Chief Bipin Rawat had hinted Monday that India may go beyond the Balakot strikes if Pakistan continues to push terrorists into India. Rajnath Singh also endorsed the view and said Pakistan has been frequently using terrorism as a tool to destabilise India which is ‘unacceptable’. He said Pakistan has not been able to ‘digest’ the withdrawal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, but ultimately the neighbouring country will have to accept it.
“I have reiterated this suggestion to Pakistan to consider what happened in 1971… what will happen to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) this time,” Rajnath pointed out. “I have repeatedly suggested Pakistan not to repeat the mistake of 1971, Pakistan was broken and Bangladesh was formed.”
PTI