Srinagar, Oct 02 (KNO): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India will respond more aggressively to any misadventure by Pakistan, whether along the International Border or the Line of Control. He said the nation knows how to defend itself against terrorism and other threats.
Singh further said that any aggression by Pakistan in the Sir Creek region would be met with a response strong enough to “change both history and geography”.
Speaking during Shastra Puja celebrations with soldiers at a military base in Bhuj, Gujarat, the Defence Minister, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), warned Islamabad against misadventures in the disputed border area, saying India is watching all recent military developments near the Sir Creek zone closely.
“Even after 78 years of independence, the Sir Creek border issue remains unresolved. India has tried to settle it through dialogue, but Pakistan’s intentions are unclear. If they try any misadventure now, the response will be so strong that it could change both history and geography,” he said.
Referring to the 1965 war, Singh reminded Pakistan of the Indian Army’s past achievements. “In 1965, our forces reached Lahore. In 2025, they must remember — one direct route to Karachi passes through Sir Creek,” he said.
Sir Creek, a 96-kilometre-long estuary in the marshy Rann of Kutch, has been a longstanding territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of trying to militarise the region, especially with recent reports of expanded military infrastructure near the sensitive area.
Rajnath said the Indian Army and the Border Security Force are fully alert and monitoring all activities along the border. “Our soldiers are guarding the borders with complete vigilance. Let there be no doubt — if provoked, the response will not be restrained,” he said.
He also spoke at length about Operation Sindoor, a four-day military action launched by India from May 7 to May 10, 2025, in retaliation to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation targeted terrorist camps inside Pakistan-controlled territory.
“Pakistan attempted to breach our defence system from Leh to Sir Creek. They failed. In response, our forces exposed their entire air defence network. We sent a clear message to the world, India can strike where and when it wants,” he said.
The Defence Minister clarified that the aim of Operation Sindoor was not to escalate into a full-scale war. “Our objective was to target terrorism, not to wage war. We exercised restraint. But we achieved every single military objective. The fight against terrorism will continue,” he added.
He attributed the swift and successful execution of the operation to the jointness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. “It was the synergy between our three services that made Operation Sindoor a success. When all three work together, there is no challenge we cannot overcome,” Singh said.
Marking Dussehra, Singh performed the traditional worship of weapons, noting that in Indian tradition, weapons are seen not just as tools of war, but as instruments of righteousness. “Weapons are not for show. They are not just symbols of strength; they are used to protect dharma,” he said—(KNO)