• Source:JND
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday sharply criticised Pakistan sponsored terrorist activities in India and warned of strict punishment if the neighbouring country does not mend ways. While speaking at the Bhuj Air Force Station in Gujarat, Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian strikes carried out under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan were just a "trailer" and that the complete picture would be shown to the world at a suitable time.

"Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Warning of strict action against Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said, “We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behavior improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given the strictest punishment.”

"It would not be incorrect for me to say that the duration people take to have breakfast, you used that duration to deal with enemies. You dropped missiles by going to the land of enemies. Its echo did not remain restricted just to the borders of India, the entire world heard it. That echo wasn't just of missiles but also of your valour and the bravery of jawans of the Indian Armed Forces,” he added.

Rajnath Singh arrived in Gujarat on Friday where he will interact with Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station. Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also arrived in Bhuj with him.

The defence minister also strongly opposed any financial assistance to Pakistan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"I believe Pakistan will spend a large portion of the funds received from the International Monetary Fund on terror infrastructure in its country....India wants IMF to re-think funding to Pakistan,” he said.

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Rajnath Singh's Srinagar Visit

Rajnath Singh's visit comes a day after he concluded his visit to the Badami Bagh Cantt in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, where he met and interacted with Indian Army soldiers.

Rajnath Singh on Thursday arrived in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar to review the security scenario and also inspected the Pakistani shells that were dropped in the border regions. The defence minister was accompanied by Lt Manoj Sinha and also met with troops at the Badami Bagh Cantonment. While applauding the efforts of troops, Singh also questioned the safety of nuclear weapons in Pakistan.

“Today, from the soil of Srinagar, I want to raise a question before the entire world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? I believe that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be placed under the supervision of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," the Defence Minister said while speaking at Badami Bagh Cantonment.

He further paid his condolences to the civilians who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "First and foremost, I bow to the supreme sacrifice made by our brave jawans in the fight against terrorism. I pay tribute to their memory. I also offer my respects to the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack. I salute the courage of the injured soldiers and pray for their swift recovery," he added.

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Operation Sindoor

The Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor in the wee hours of Wednesday, May 7, carrying out missile strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Union Ministry of Defence said the Army targeted terrorist infrastructure from where attacks against India were planned and directed. These strikes came as India's response to the terror attack which took place in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and led to the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists.