Union home minister Rajnath Singh says government determined to root out terrorism
New Delhi: Ties between India and Pakistan have nose-dived following a spate of terror attacks on Indian military bases by Pakistan based terror groups since January 2016, the recent being the dastardly Pulwama terror attack. Following the strikes, India has announced that it will not engage in talks with Pakistan, saying terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand and time for talks with Pakistan is over now.
India’s tough stand has come amid heightened tension with Pakistan over Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. It may be recalled that after Uri terror attack, in which 18 soldiers were martyred, India had pulled out of the SAARC Summit to be held in Islamabad in November, 2016. Later, the summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the meet.
In a freewheeling interview with a private TV news channel, the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that time for talks with Pakistan is over now. And, we have no expectations from Pakistan. The government is determined to root out terrorism
The morale of the Security Forces is high and we express resolve to continue the fight against terrorism till its logical conclusion, he added.
He reiterated that the Government has given a freehand to the Security Forces to deal with terrorists and their perpetrators. The Government has followed a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism from the beginning. The 14th February cowardly attack reflects this very desperation among terrorists.
Singh said that a vast majority of people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace loving but there are certain elements in the state who are in league with the terrorist groups operating from across the border. ‘Separatist activities’ in Jammu and Kashmir will not be tolerated any more.
He once again said that the sacrifices made by our Security Forces will not go in vain and the country is united in its fight against terrorism. The government is determined to root out terrorism from our soil. When enquired about the possible befitting response to Pakistan, he urged people of the country to have a heart and said that the country will not be disappointed.
Singh said that countries across the globe have condemned the Pulwama terror attack and terrorism in all forms and the support being given to it from across the border.
It is no denying the fact that India has during the past three decades faced the menace of cross border terrorism. Of late, terrorism in India is being actively encouraged by the forces across the border. India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges.
The entire nation is speaking in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our Security Forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India, he said.
It is unfortunate that our neighbour has been aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorist groups. This attempt to destabilise and impede out progress can no longer be tolerated. We stand united in our resolve to make every inch of our motherland a safer place, Singh thundered.
Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack and the organisation and its leadership are located in Pakistan. Pakistan cannot claim that it was unaware of the presence of terror groups on its soil as the links of such outfits to Islamabad are well known. Pakistan has not taken any action against terror groups despite international demands and dossiers given by us, he added.
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