Sitharaman on Surgical Strike Day: My action to deter Pakistan from terrorism will continue across LoC

Leaving people to guess over another surgical strike, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said the September 29, 2016 action by the Indian Army was to deter Pakistan from training and sending terrorists to India. Furthermore, such operations will continue across the Line of Control (LoC) irrespective of whether the neighbouring country learnt a lesson.

Speaking at the second Surgical Strike anniversary celebrations - Parakram Parv, Sitharaman said, "I would believe an action of this kind would deter Pakistan from training and sending terrorists. My action will continue at the border irrespective of whether they have learnt a lesson or not".

A negotiation on S-400 air defence systems is also in pipelines for a quite long time to ensure India's safety and security across the border, the defence minister added.

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I would believe an action of this kind would deter Pakistan from training and sending terrorists. My action will continue at the border irrespective of whether they have learnt a lesson or not: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 2016 surgical strikes pic.twitter.com/T4aKncIKqU

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2018

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"Negotiation on S-400 air defence systems has been on for a long while and it is at a stage where it can be finalised. We have a big legacy of buying defence equipment from Russia," Sitharaman was quoted as saying by ANI. The defence minister was addressing at an event on the occasion of Surgical Strike anniversary in Chennai.

To hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegations on Rafale deal, Sitharaman said, "I will make it clear in Parliament that I have responded to this query four times". "I have given written responses too but the fact remains that, are you accepting those answers?" she asked.

The government is celebrating Parakram Parv from September 28-30 to mark the second anniversary of the surgical strikes the forces had carried out on terror launch pads in 2016.

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On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Parakram Parv exhibition at a military station in Jodhpur which will continue till Sunday, September 30, 2018. Besides, celebrations will take place at 53 other locations in 51 cities across the country.