Pakistan on Saturday denounced the comments made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who stated that the Indian government wouldn’t spare terrorists, even if they fled back to Pakistan after attempting to disturb the country’s peace.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry in a statement on Saturday called Rajnath Singh’s remarks “provocative” and “myopic” and said such rhetoric only “impedes the prospects of constructive engagement in the long term”.
It further added that “Pakistan has always demonstrated its commitment to peace in the region” and also stated, “History attests to Pakistan’s firm resolve and ability to protect and defend itself.”
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s remarks come a day after Rajnath Singh, in response to a report in The Guardian accusing India of targeted killings in Pakistan, warned of a “befitting reply” to terrorists.
“If any terrorist tries to disturb the country’s peace, we will give a befitting reply. If they (terrorists) run back to Pakistan, toh Pakistan mein ghus ke maarenge (We will go there and kill them),” he told CNN-News18.
The Defence Minister asserted, “India has never attacked any country or tried to capture their territory. But if anyone threatens India or its peace, they will not be spared”.
Singh also added that India is powerful enough to respond that way and “Pakistan is also starting to understand that”.
The report by the British newspaper The Guardian alleged that India carried out multiple targeted assassinations in Pakistan. The central government has rejected the claims as “false and malicious anti-India propaganda.”
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that targeted killings in other countries are “not the policy of the Government of India”.
