Panaji: Addressing officers and sailors on India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal attack on terrorism.
Operation Sindoor is more than simply a military operation; it is India's direct attack on terrorism, and if Pakistan engages in anything nefarious or unethical, it would face the might and fury of the Indian Navy, according to the defense minister.
Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Navy's quiet service during Operation Sindoor, saying that the powerful Carrier Battle Group prevented the Pakistani Navy from venturing out, or else it would have suffered the ramifications. He gave Pakistan a clear message that if it tries to cast an evil eye, the Indian Navy will open New Delhi's reaction.
Rajnath Singh stated that Pakistan must realize that the risky game of terrorism it has been playing since gaining independence is over. Now, if Pakistan commits any terrorist attack against India, it will suffer the repercussions and lose. India will not hesitate. It will employ all available means to eradicate the threat of terror, he added.
The Defense Minister also stated that anti-India actions are being undertaken publicly from Pakistani territory, and India is totally free to launch any kind of military operation against terrorists on both sides of the border and at sea. Today, the entire world is recognizing India's right to defend its citizens against terrorism, he said, stressing that Pakistan must destroy the nursery of terrorism operating on its territory with its own hands.
Rajnath Singh demanded that terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar be transferred to India. Both are listed as one of India's 'Most Wanted Terrorists,' as well as being UN-designated terrorists. Tahawwur Rana, a suspect in the Mumbai attacks, was recently transported to India. According to him, Hafiz Saeed is also responsible for the Mumbai attacks, and action must be taken to hold him accountable.
Raksha Mantri reaffirmed Pakistan's constant offer of talks, stating that any discussions will be solely on terrorism and PoK. If Pakistan is serious about talks, it should give over terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India so that justice may be done.
Describing the Indian Navy's involvement in the coordinated operation as laudable, Rajnath Singh said that when the Indian Air Force destroyed terrorist bases on Pakistani territory, the Navy's aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea, unsurpassed maritime domain awareness, and supremacy limited the Pakistani Navy to its own coastlines.
Our Western Fleet ships stationed at sea conducted successful surfaceto-surface, surfaceto-air missile, and torpedo attacks on the western and eastern coastlines within 96 hours after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. It demonstrated the battle readiness of our platforms, systems, and staff, as well as our purpose and preparedness, forcing the adversary to assume a defensive attitude, according to him.
He stated that the Carrier Battle Group's force projection clearly demonstrates India's aim and ability. According to him, the Indian Navy's enormous strength, military expertise, and destructive capabilities have devastated the enemy's spirit. He requested the Navy to continue leaving no stone untouched in its preparations, echoing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's unequivocal statement that any terrorist strike on Indian territory will be treated as an "Act of War" and dealt with appropriately.
Rajnath Singh reiterated that Operation Sindoor is not complete; it is merely a halt, a warning. He warned that India's response would be more severe if Pakistan made the same mistake again.
The Defense Minister commended the Armed Forces' speed, depth, and clarity during Operation Sindoor, adding that the precise strikes demonstrated smooth cooperation among the three Services, as well as coordination among Ministries and Government agencies. He stated that the operation sent a strong message to the terrorists and their supporters that India will no longer accept it and would respond appropriately. Within a very short period of time, we demolished Pakistan's terrorist network and intentions. Our response was so powerful that Pakistan requested that it be halted. We halted military operations on our own terms. According to him, our troops have not even begun to demonstrate their power.
Rajnath Singh was pleased with his interactions with Army and Air Force personnel, as well as the Naval troops following Operation Sindoor, stating that India is completely capable of coping with any event on land, air, or sea. He emphasized the role of the original INS Vikrant during Goa's liberation, stating that the aircraft carrier led the Indian Navy's flotilla during the operation in 1961, and now, in its new indigenous form, it is spearheading India's fight against terrorism.
He ended his remarks by saying: Today, we live in an age when conflicts are fought not just with guns and ammunition, but also via cyberspace, data supremacy, and strategic deterrence. It gives the Navy great joy to be progressing in these domains. He characterized the Indian Navy as more than just the guard of the Indian Ocean, but also a strategic force that expands India's regional footprint. It indicates the adversary that India is no longer only a regional force, but is on pace to become a global superpower, according to him.
Rajnath Singh was joined aboard INS Vikrant by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, and other top Indian Navy personnel.
