Srinagar: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday issued a stern warning to Pakistan that if any major terrorist attack takes place in India, they will strike inside Pakistan.
Speaking at an election rally in the border area of Guez in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said Pakistan is constantly trying to make sure that terrorism spreads again in Jammu and Kashmir.
“They ( Pakistan) don’t want democracy to flourish. But after seeing the courage of the people, I am sure that now no power in the world can weaken the democracy here,” the Defence Minister said.
He said Pakistan should not forget that this is a “new India” and against terrorism, if needed, they can go "beyond the border", and confront them.
“And those people, who are trying to destroy India from across the border, I also want to tell them, that if there is a big terrorist attack in India, then wherever they sit, “hum ghus kar marenge” Singh said.
Singh said ever since their government came to power, there has been peace in Kashmir and no one can deny this truth.
He also took a dig at Pakistan over its financial health.
“In 2014- 15, a special PM package was given to J&K. Today, the PM package is worth 90,000 crores. And you can guess how much this amount is worth. The amount for which the whole of Pakistan was begging in front of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), our government has provided much more to Jammu and Kashmir than that,” Singh said
He said the Narendra Modi government works for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and to make the lives of the people here better.
“And in Pakistan, the financial aid is used for running terrorism factories and this has been going on for a long time. …This business of terrorism is not going to last long. I want to assure you this,” he asserted.
Singh said in Kashmir, behind every act of terrorism, the investigation reveals Pakistani hands.
“..Pakistan has been exposed for spreading terrorism all over the world,” he said.
Referring to India’s outreach to Pakistan, Singh said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, went to Pakistan on foot.
“Our Prime Minister, Modi ji breaking all the protocols, went to Pakistan for Nawaz Sharif ( referring to Modi 2015 visit to Lahore). …Every government in India has explained to Pakistan to close the terror training camps running on their soil. But till today, they haven’t closed them. Even today, after the (abrogation of) Article 370, Pakistan is suffering from cowardice,” he said
He said Pakistan always attempts to defame India and Kashmir, in the international forums.
“This time, Turkey left Pakistan's side and they skipped mentioning Kashmir in the UN speech. Turkey has also understood Pakistan,” he said.
Singh also lashed out at two J&K families- Abdullah’s Mufti’s- who he alleged have only done politics.
“The election of Jammu and Kashmir is not simple. It is the strength of India's democracy. And it is the manifestation of its uniqueness. Every person has an important role in building this country. And here, by giving an important vote, you can fulfill your role,” Singh said while urging the people to vote in favour of the BJP candidate to see the overall development of the Gurez valley.