Pakistan Waging Proxy War As It Can't Win Conventional One: Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Pakistan was indulging in a ‘proxy’ war through terrorism as it cannot win a ‘conventional’ one. Singh also emphasised that Pakistan is not in the position to win even the ‘proxy’ war. “Pakistan through terrorism is indulging in a proxy war, but today I say this with full responsibility that it cannot even win in this proxy war,” he said while speaking at the passing out parade of the 137th course at National Defence Academy in Pune.

Pakistan had realised right from 1948 through the wars in 1965, 1971 and 1999 that it could not win against India in any conventional or limited war, the minister said.

India always had cordial and friendly relations with other countries, Singh said, adding that the country never had any extra-territorial ambitions but if provoked, it would not spare anyone.

"We are committed to the sovereignty and security of the people of the country. But if someone runs terror camps in our soil or are involved in an attack, we know how to give a befitting reply," he asserted.

Earlier on Wednesday, Singh asserted in Lok Sabha that after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have come down to almost nil.

He also said the Army, paramilitary forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been coordinating to fight terrorism in the state.

"Terror incidents have been taking place in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 30-35 years. But I must compliment the forces. I can confidently say after abrogation of Article 370, terror incidents, in comparison to the past, have now come down to almost nil (Lag bhag na ke barabar)," he said.

The Defence Minister also said that normalcy was fast returning to Kashmir.