'Indian forces will cross border to...': Defence minister, after J&K terror attack before PM Modi's trip

A day after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, India's defence minister issued a stern warning. Rajnath Singh said that it a formal decision of the government to cross the border, and strike at the source of terrorism if required.

Singh said, "Under PM Modi's leadership, we're achieving success in both internal and external security fronts. Our government has a clear approach. We are working to purge terrorism on Indian soil. We have successfully delivered the message that we will purge terrorism here, and if it is perpetrated from abroad, we will go to that land, we will not hesitate in crossing the border and taking action. This is our formal decision."

It was a reference to the surgical strikes and air strikes conducted by the armed forces following the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks respectively. Indian forces had struck at terror launch pads in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in September 2016 and February 2019.

Rajnath Singh also clarified that the Indian armed forces are not in favour of imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in any part of India. AFSPA is accused by critics of giving sweeping powers and immunity to military personnel.

Singh said, "When I was Home Minister, I remember getting appeals in Meghalaya and Arunachal that AFSPA should be revoked there. That was done. Now Amit Shah is the Home Minister. State governments also contributed. Himanta Biswa Sarma played a major role in that. AFSPA has been fully revoked in 23 districts of Assam. In Manipur and Nagaland, there are 15 police station areas each, where AFSPA has been revoked. Removal of AFSPA is due to durable peace and stability coming to northeast."

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He added, "Our Army does not want AFSPA imposition. Internal security is not Army's job. This is the job of state police and central paramilitary forces. Army wants freedom from internal security job so that it can focus on defending the borders. In Jammu and Kashmir, all 3 wings of military want removal of AFSPA at the soonest. AFSPA imposition is due to the situation. Army is not responsible."

Rajnath Singh was speaking at the felicitation ceremony of 1971 war veterans in Assam's Guwahati.