Pak would have been divided into four parts, if Navy was deployed, says Rajnath Singh

Pakistan, in its interest, needs to clearly understand that the “dangerous game” of terrorism it had been playing with India since Independence is over, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday (May 30) adding that in case of any future misadventure by Islamabad, then it might have to face the firepower of the Indian Navy.

Interacting with Navy personnel on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Goa, Singh also warned Pakistan that next time India will not hesitate to use methods to deal with terrorism that Pakistan cannot even imagine.

"We will use every method against terrorism that Pakistan can think of, but we will not hesitate to use those methods also which Pakistan cannot even think of," he said as quoted by PTI.

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‘Will strike terrorists anywhere’

Pointing out that anti-India activities are being carried out openly from Pakistani soil, Singh said that India has every right to carry out any kind of operation against terrorists “both on this side and the other side of the border and sea”.

The Defence Minister said that the whole world was acknowledging India’s right to protect its citizens against terrorism adding that “no power in the world” can stop India from carrying out the task.

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‘Uproot terror nurseries’

Singh also said that it would be in Pakistan’s interest to “uproot the nurseries of terrorism” operating on its soil adding that it can start the task by handing over terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India.

“ Both of them are not only on the list of 'Most Wanted Terrorists' in India but are also on the UN's list of Designated Terrorists...Tahawwur Rana, an accused of the Mumbai attacks, was brought to India recently... If Pakistan is serious about talks, then it should hand over terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India so that justice can be done,” said Singh as quoted by ANI.

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'Pak lucky as Navy didn’t get involved'

He lauded the armed forces for their work during Operation Sindoor. Referring to the role of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war over the Bangladesh liberation struggle, the Defence Minister said that if the Indian Navy had been involved in the operation, then “Pakistan would not only have been divided into two parts, but I think it would have been divided into four parts.”

“In a way, Pakistan is very lucky that our Navy did not display its valour during Operation Sindoor,” said Singh.

He also said that the Indian Navy's aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea confined the Pakistani Navy to its shores during Operation Sindoor.

“Despite remaining silent, the Indian Navy succeeded in tying down the Pakistani Army. Just imagine what will happen when someone who can keep a country's army locked in a bottle, even by remaining silent, speaks up? This time, Pakistan did not have to face the firepower of the Indian Navy, but the world knows that if Pakistan does any unholy act this time, it is possible that this time the opening will be done by our Navy, “said Singh.

With agency inputs