Mumbai: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the recent surgical strike across the LoC has put forth the message that the government will not be aggressive, but at the same time “will also not take things lying down”.
He also said the cross-border tension would ease if Pakistan stops violating ceasefire agreement.
“Surgical strike has given a message that Indian government will not be aggressive but will also not take things lying down,” Parrikar told reporters after commissioning new warship ‘INS Chennai’ here.
Responding to questions on the army’s action against terror camps and the recent rise in ceasefire violations across the border, Parrikar said if the ‘timetable’ of such violations is observed, there is always some political angle to them.
“The tension between India and Pakistan would cool down only when Pakistan will stop violating ceasefire agreement,” he said.
Parrikar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to improve the relations between the two countries “but he was severely criticised”.
We welcome good relations always, but not at the cost of national interest,” he added.
When asked about growing indigenisation of technology in ship building and missiles, the Defence Minister said, “We want to achieve 75 per cent indigenisation of technology at least. One must not forget that 100 per cent indigenisation of such technology is not possible anywhere in the world.”
Parrikar also said that the need is to increase the speed to clear the backlog of projects.
“Most of the defence projects are streamlined and the waiting period for their commencement and completion has come down drastically. We need to increase the speed and focus on projects more so that we will complete the backlog. Synergy of various departments has helped to achieve it,” he said.
Earlier, the minister commissioned ‘INS Chennai’, the third indigenously designed guided missile destroyer in the Kolkata class.
Built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai, the ship’s construction also marks the end of the Project 15A to build Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers.
Parrikar said the armed forces in Kashmir have complete power to shoot at those wielding guns, instead of waiting for the terrorists to open fire and “getting martyred”.
“In Kashmir our army were fighting with the terrorists. Congress government had given them direction that till they (terrorist) fires bullet on you, you don’t retaliate,” he said, claiming that the morale of the Army has gone up since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has come to power in the Centre.
In the backdrop of intense ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Parrikar said the Indian troops have complete power and they are giving apt reply to the enemy.
“Our soldiers now don’t need to seek permission from the Defence Ministry to fire at the person who fires at them.
They have complete power and they are giving apt reply to our enemy. I feel bad that some of our soldiers are martyred,” the former chief minister said. Parrikar said it took almost six to eight months for him to understand the functioning of the ministry.
Encounter in Poonch
Pak violates ceasefire twice, BSF man succumbs to injuries
Jammu: A civilian was on Monday injured as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice in Poonch and Rajouri districts, while a BSF head constable injured in Sunday’s cross-border firing succumbed to injuries.
The civilian identified as Abdul Aziz, 50, a resident of Basoni village in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch, was injured when a mortar shell landed near his house, a police officer said.
Meanwhile, head constable of BSF Rai Singh (40), who was injured along with three other BSF jawans in last night’s shelling from the Pakistani side along the line of control, succumbed to his injuries this morning in Rajouri sector.
“Last night in heavy shelling from Pakistan side along the LoC in Rajouri area, four BSF Personnel sustained splinter injuries.Head Constable Rai Singh, who was seriously injured, succumbed to his injuries, while the condition of another personnel was serious,” a BSF officer said.
Singh, a resident of Jhajjar district of Haryana, is survived by wife, three sons and mother, he said.
The army and the BSF retaliated to the Pakistani ceasefire violations and the exchange of fire was going on till last reports came in.
“Pakistan Army initiated ceasefire violation from 8. 30 am hours by targeting Indian Army posts along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector. The Indian Army posts are responding strongly and the firing is presently on”, a defense spokesman said.
In the past 12 hours, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri districts for the third time.
Sunday night’s violation of the ceasefire came a day after a BSF jawan and a woman were injured when Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors of Rajouri with mortars and small arms fire.
Meanwhile, encounter broke out between suspected terrorists and security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Saujiyan sector of Poonch. A BSF official said that they challenged a group of 4-5 militants in Makhiyari area of Saujiyan today morning. The exchange of fire continued for some time, he said.
A search operation has been launched to nab the militants, added the official.