Political leadership can't be denied credit for surgical strikes: Parrikar
Panaji, June 28 : Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said the existing political leadership which took the "strong decision" to go ahead with the the 2016 surgical strikes across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, cannot be denied credit.
Parrikar, who held the Defence portfolio when the surgical strikes took place on September 29, 2016, said footage which has been broadcast by national news channels was only a fraction of the actual evidence of the strikes.
"Ultimately, the exercise has been carried out by armed forces and the credit goes to the armed forces. But you cannot deny credit to the political leadership which took the strong decision," Parrikar told a channel at the State Secretariat on Thursday.
"It was an extensive operation which was carried out after extensive planning and preparation. It could only happen, I think, because the leadership of the Prime Minister was very crucial... The Prime Minister supported the decision right from day one.
"For me, while taking a decision, of course the Prime Minister's support was there, was also if this escalates... If this goes out beyond the intended limited operation and if there is retaliation, then what? We had to prepare ourselves for any eventuality. Our planning does not only talk about the small operation, but detailing about complete fall-out in case something goes wrong. That was the important part for me," he added.
When asked if the Congress should apologise for being critical of the operation and questioning its very veracity, Parrikar said: "I think they should realise their mistake. I don't know whether apology is the right word for it. But they should henceforth, in matters which concern national interest and the armed forces, should be very careful while commenting."
The Chief Minister also said that scoring political brownie points over the surgical strikes was "demeaning" to the armed forces.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Dr. Kaup Mohamed Speaks at MENA Chapter of Evolve by Meritto
UAE: Dr. Kaup Mohamed, Dean and Managing Director of London American City College, UAE, and Vice-Chancellor of London American University College, Zambia, participated as a guest speaker at the MENA chapter of Evolve by Meritto.
Dr. Kaup took part in a panel discussion on "Recruiting the Next Generation of Students in the Middle East," where he shared insights on strategies, trends in education, and approaches to admissions and marketing.
The event brought together educators and professionals from the education sector to discuss developments and challenges in the field. London American City College expressed appreciation for Dr. Kaup's contribution to the discussion.
