Panaji (Goa)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing officers and sailors onboard India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, declared that "Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal assault against terrorism.

"Operation Sindoor is not just a military action, but India's frontal assault against terrorism, and if Pakistan resorts to anything evil or unethical, it will, this time, face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy," said the Defence Minister.

Commending the Indian Navy's "silent service" during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh stated that the mighty Carrier Battle Group ensured that the Pakistani Navy did not venture out, or else it would have faced the consequences. He sent a clear message to Pakistan that if it tries to cast an evil eye, the opening of New Delhi's response will be at the hands of the Indian Navy.

Rajnath Singh asserted that Pakistan needs to understand that the time is up for the dangerous game of terrorism it has been playing since its Independence. "Now, if Pakistan instigates any terrorist act against India, it will have to bear the consequences and face defeat. India will not hesitate. It will use every method to root out the menace of terrorism," he said.

Defence Minister added that anti-India activities are being carried out openly from Pakistani soil, and India is completely free to carry out every kind of operation against terrorists on both sides of the border and the sea. Today, the whole world is acknowledging India's right to protect its citizens against terrorism, he said, emphasising that Pakistan must uproot the nursery of terrorism operating on its soil with its own hands.

Rajnath Singh called for the handing over of terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India. "Both of them are not only in India's list of 'Most Wanted Terrorists', they are also UN Designated Terrorists. Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the Mumbai attacks, has been brought to India recently. Hafiz Saeed is also guilty of the Mumbai attacks, and justice must be done for his crime," he said.

On Pakistan's repeated offer of talks, Raksha Mantri again clarified: "If there are talks, it will only be on terrorism and PoK. If Pakistan is serious about talks, it should hand over terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India so that justice is served."

Describing the Indian Navy's role in the integrated operation as praiseworthy, Rajnath Singh stated that when the Indian Air Force destroyed the terror bases on Pakistani soil, the Navy's aggressive deployment in the Arabian Sea, its unmatched maritime domain awareness and supremacy confined the Pakistani Navy to its own shores.

"Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea, within 96 hours of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, carried out successful firings of surface-to-surface & surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes on the western & eastern coast. It demonstrated the combat readiness of our platforms, systems & crew and our intent & readiness, forcing the enemy to come into a defensive posture," he said.

He added that the force projection of the Carrier Battle Group effectively indicated India's intent and capability. The tremendous power of the Indian Navy, its military acumen and destructive capabilities have broken the enemy's morale, he said. He urged the Navy to continue leaving no stone unturned in its preparations, reiterating Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's clear message that if any terrorist attack takes place on Indian soil, it will be considered as an 'Act of War' and respond in the same way.

Rajnath Singh reasserted that Operation Sindoor is not yet over; it is just a pause, a warning. He added that if Pakistan makes the same mistake again, India's answer will be harsher.

Lauding the speed, depth and clarity of the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister stated that the precision strikes displayed seamless synergy among the three Services as well as coordination among Ministries and Government agencies. He added that the operation sent a clear message to the terrorists & its patrons that India will no longer tolerate and give a befitting reply. "Within a very short span of time, we destroyed Pakistan's terrorist base and its intentions. Our response was so strong that Pakistan pleaded to stop. We stopped our military actions on our terms. Our forces had not even started showing their might," he said.

On his interactions with the Army and Air Force personnel and now the Naval warriors post-Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction that whether land, sky, or sea, India is fully prepared to deal with any situation anywhere. He recalled the contribution of the older version of INS Vikrant during the Liberation of Goa, stating that the aircraft carrier had led the Indian Navy's fleet during the operation in 1961, and now, in its new indigenous avatar, it is spearheading India's resolve against terrorism.

He further concluded his address by saying: "Today, we are in an era where wars are not fought only with bullets and bombs, but also through cyberspace, data dominance, and strategic deterrence. It is a matter of pride that the Navy is moving ahead in these areas." He described the Indian Navy as not just the sentinel of the Indian Ocean, but a strategic force that strengthens India's presence in the region. It warns the enemy that India is no longer just a regional power, but is moving towards becoming a global power, he said.

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Onboard INS Vikrant, Rajnath Singh was accompanied by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi; Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, and other senior officials of the Indian Navy.