Our actions were just a trailer, will show the full picture if need be: Rajnath on Operation Sindoor
Bhuj (Guj), May 16 (PTI): India on Friday pressed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its USD one billion assistance to Pakistan, saying Islamabad could use a large part of it to fund the terrorist infrastructure.
In an address to air warriors at Gujarat's Bhuj Air Force station, Singh confirmed use of the 'BrahMos' supersonic missiles in the Operation Sindoor and said the weapon showed Pakistan the "light of day in the darkness of night".
Sending a clear and firm message to Islamabad, the defence minister made it clear that the operation is not yet over as the current ceasefire means that India has kept Pakistan on "probation" on the basis of its behaviour.
"If the behaviour improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given," he said.
"Our actions were just a trailer, we will show the full picture, if need be. Attacking and eliminating terrorism is the new normal of new India," he said.
Under Operation Sindoor, India on early May 7 destroyed nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.
All subsequent retaliations by Pakistan were carried out under the operation. The two sides reached an understanding on cessation of hostilities on May 10 after four days of confrontations.
In his remarks, Singh said Pakistan has again started trying to rebuild the terror infrastructure destroyed by India last week and that Islamabad will "spend the collected from the common citizens of Pakistan to pay around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad" and a UN designated terrorist.
The Bhuj air force base was one of the military installations that Pakistan targeted during the four-day confrontation between the two militaries.
Singh cautioned against providing financial support to Pakistan saying any such assistance would be no less than terror funding.
In its board meeting in Washington on May 9, the IMF cleared a USD one billion tranche for Pakistan as part of its USD 7-billion funding programme for the country.
"The Pakistan government has announced financial assistance to rebuild the terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed located in Muridke and Bahawalpur," Singh said.
"Certainly, a large part of IMF's USD one billion assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure. Will this not be considered indirect funding by IMF, an international organisation?"
"Any financial assistance to Pakistan is no less than terror funding. The funds India gives to IMF should not be used, directly or indirectly, to create terror infrastructure in Pakistan or any other country," he said.
The defence minister said India would like the IMF to reconsider USD one billion support to Pakistan and refrain from giving any kind of assistance in future.
He commended the "effective" role played by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Operation Sindoor which he said is being appreciated by the world.
Lauding the air warriors for eliminating the terror camps in Pakistan and PoK in just 23 minutes, he said "when missiles were dropped inside the enemy territory, the world heard the echoes of India's valour and might."
He added that IAF spearheaded this campaign against terrorism, and during the operation, it not only dominated the enemy, but decimated them.
Singh highlighted that India's fighter jets are capable of striking every corner of Pakistan without crossing the border. "The world has witnessed how IAF destroyed terror camps and later Pakistan's airbases. The IAF gave the proof that India's war policy and technology have changed."
"They conveyed the message of New India that we are not just dependent on weapons and platforms imported from aboard, but Made in India equipment have become a part of our military power. The weapons manufactured in India are also impenetrable," he said.
Singh added that Pakistan has itself accepted the power of the 'BrahMos' missile. This Made in India missile showed Pakistan the light of day in the darkness of night, he said, noting India's air defence system, including assets like Akash missile systems have played a tremendous role.
On his interaction with the brave Indian Army soldiers in Srinagar on Thursday and the air warriors and soldiers in Bhuj on Friday, Singh said he is, once again, convinced that India's borders are completely safe.
"I've witnessed the highest level of enthusiasm and patriotism among the soldiers on both the fronts. What our forces did during Operation Sindoor has filled the country with pride," he said.
"The effective role played by the Indian Air Force in Operation Sindoor is being appreciated not only in this country but also in other countries." "In this operation, you have not only dominated the enemy but have also succeeded in decimating them," he said.
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Sport must go on: Sourav Ganguly on India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash
Kolkata, Jul 27 (PTI): Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Sunday said he has no issues with India being placed in the same group as Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup, asserting that while terrorism must end, sport must continue.
As per the schedule, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are clubbed in Group A and are set to face off at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14.
"I'm okay with the schedule. Sport must continue. What happened in Pahalgam should never happen, but we can’t let that stop the game. Terrorism must end. India has taken a firm stand against it, it’s in the past now. Sport must go on," Ganguly told PTI.
The T20 tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.
India will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 and are expected to play all their matches in Dubai. India and Pakistan could also meet again in the Super Four stage on September 21.
Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will allow 17-member squads for the 19-match tournament, with matches scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
While the BCCI is the official host, the tournament is being held in the UAE as India and Pakistan have agreed to play only at neutral venues till 2027 due to ongoing cross-border tensions.
The two countries had come close to the brink of war following the Pahalgam attack, to which India responded with Operation Sindoor.
