New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said the surgical strike against terrorists’ launch pads across 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 strike against terrorists’ launch pads was successful. We are prepared for any eventuality,” he told CNN News 18 in an interview.
He said Pakistan was “nervous” after the strike.
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 Uri Brigade Commander, he said the decision was taken by the Army chief since a probe is on to ascertain the lapses that led to the deadly attack. 19 soldiers were killed in the brazen assault launched by four Pakistani terrorists who were eliminated in the counteroffensive by the Army.
“Moving out Uri Brigade Commander was a call taken by Army chief assessing if there were gaps in SOPs at Uri,” he said. Parrikar said such action was called “attachment” in Army parlance.
Parrikar added that there was a need for an impartial probe into possible security lapses at Uri.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tried his best to improve relationships with Pakistan.
The Minister underlined that diplomatic activity has given India a lot of impetus on combating terrorism.
We have been able to put across India’s point of view on terrorism to the international community, he said.