Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan Over Terrorism, Says Operation Sindoor Is Just a Pause
Onboard INS Vikrant, Defence Minister asserts that India’s maritime power has redrawn the line on cross-border terrorism, with a clear message: any attack will be met with military force.
ONBOARD INS VIKRANT, GOA COAST — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing officers and personnel of the Indian Navy onboard the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, issued a sharp warning to Pakistan, stating that Operation Sindoor is not over but merely a pause—a stern signal against any future cross-border provocations.
In remarks delivered off the Goa coast, Singh praised the Navy’s readiness and precision during the operation, while asserting that India will respond with decisive military power if any terrorist act originates from Pakistani territory again.
“Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India’s frontal assault against terrorism,” Singh told officers, adding that Pakistan must understand the “time is up” for its use of terrorism as state policy. He said any further provocation would invite a response “from the hands of the Indian Navy.”
“Pakistan Will Face Firepower and Ire of the Indian Navy”
Rajnath Singh’s remarks come in the backdrop of the Navy’s deployment during Operation Sindoor, conducted in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. Singh disclosed that within 96 hours of the attack, India’s Carrier Battle Group was fully mobilised, with missile firings, torpedo drills, and strategic maritime positioning across the western and eastern seaboards.
“Our Western Fleet’s actions sent a loud message. Pakistan’s Navy was confined to its ports. Had it ventured out, it would have faced consequences,” he said.
He further noted that the Indian Navy’s maritime superiority—backed by surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems, as well as advanced torpedoes—ensured a complete deterrence shield in the Arabian Sea.
Firm Stand on Talks: “Only on Terrorism and PoK”
Addressing Pakistan’s repeated calls for dialogue, the Defence Minister stated that India will only engage on the issues of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He dismissed any possibility of broader negotiations unless Pakistan takes “concrete action” against its network of terror safe havens.
“If there are talks, they will be on terrorism and PoK, nothing else,” Singh said. He called for the immediate handover of Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, both UN-designated terrorists wanted for their role in the Mumbai attacks and other deadly operations against India.
“These individuals are not just on India’s Most Wanted list—they are also recognised internationally as threats to peace. Pakistan must hand them over if it truly seeks dialogue,” Singh said.
He also referenced the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the accused in the 26/11 attacks, as an example of the global consensus against terrorism.
“India Free to Strike Across Land and Sea”
The Defence Minister underlined that India reserves the right to strike against terrorism on both sides of the border and across the maritime frontier. “Anti-India activities are still openly carried out from Pakistani soil. India will take action wherever needed,” Singh declared, reinforcing a doctrine of pre-emptive and cross-border capability.
He noted that the global community now acknowledges India’s right to defend its citizens, and stressed that the era of strategic restraint has shifted to one of strategic response.
“We have not just destroyed terrorist bases, we’ve dismantled Pakistan’s intentions. And when Pakistan pleaded for a cease in hostilities, we stopped on our own terms,” Singh said.
Operation Sindoor: Integrated Response, Real-Time Precision
Singh applauded the seamless coordination during Operation Sindoor across all three military services and various arms of government. “The speed, depth and clarity with which our forces responded was unmatched. This was an example of how jointness delivers results,” he noted.
He emphasised that the Navy’s forward-deployed ships, equipped with the latest weapons systems, were ready for any escalation. “This operation showcased not just our capability but our intent,” he added.
“The destructive power of our Navy, its tactical brilliance and maritime domain awareness, shattered the enemy’s confidence,” Singh said.
INS Vikrant: Then and Now
Singh also recalled INS Vikrant’s historic role during the 1961 Liberation of Goa, when the original aircraft carrier led naval operations that freed the territory from Portuguese rule. “Today, the indigenous INS Vikrant carries that legacy forward, leading not just military might, but national resolve,” he said.
He underscored that modern warfare is evolving. “Today, battles are not only fought with missiles and aircraft—they are also fought in cyberspace, through data dominance, and via strategic deterrence. Our Navy is preparing on all fronts.”
Strategic Clarity, Global Posture
In a closing statement that resonated across the deck, Singh declared that the Indian Navy is no longer just a regional guardian, but a key force in India’s emergence as a global power.
“The Indian Navy is the sentinel of the Indian Ocean, but beyond that, it is a strategic force that projects India’s presence, capability and determination on the global stage,” Singh said.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s position: any future terror attack on Indian soil will be treated as an act of war, and responded to in kind.
Singh was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, and other senior officers of the Western Naval Command during his address on INS Vikrant.
As Operation Sindoor enters its post-operational phase, Singh’s message was clear: deterrence has been established, lines have been drawn, and India will not hesitate to act again—stronger, faster, and on its own terms.
Written by Amit S. | Published on 30 May 2025 | Source: NDTV
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