MYSURU, Jan 2:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said “enemies of humanity” who could not digest India’s progress carried out the attack in Pathankot.
Modi assured that the defence forces had the strength to defeat “the evil designs of our enemy.”
“…Our security forces did not let them succeed: Proud of our jawans and security forces,” he said here, referring to Pakistani terrorists’pre-dawn strike at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in Punjab.
“Today, enemies of humanity who can’t see India progress tried to strike at our strategic area, a prominent airbase at Pathankot. I appreciate our armed forces and thank them for foiling our enemy’s attempt,” Modi said, adding “our security forces did not let them succeed.”
“I want to assure our countrymen that our armed forces have the strength to defeat the evil designs of our enemy,” he said.
Congratulating the armed forces “who are always ready to protect the country”, he said if the country speaks out with unity, the “illwill of our enemies will get destroyed.”
“I feel proud of our armed forces”, said the Prime Minister in his speech at the birth centenary celebrations of Dr.Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur Mutt which runs a string of educational institutions benefitting nearly a lakh students.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today did not rule out the possibility of involvement of Pakistan- based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pathankot attack and said India would hit back hard if there is any terror strike on its soil.
“Pakistan is our neighbouring country. We want good relations with not just Pakistan but with all our neighbours. We also want peace but if there is any terror attack on India, we will give a befitting reply. We will hit hard,” he said.
Asked about the possibility of JeM’s involvement in the attack, Singh said such a possibility cannot be ruled out.
“The case will be probed by the NIA but the possibility of JeM being behind the attack cannot be ruled out,” he said.
The Home Minister said there were intelligence inputs about possible terror attacks in Punjab and steps were taken which helped avert higher casualties.
“There were some inputs and hence there was caution. We have exercised caution. If we had not taken steps, there could have been bigger damage,” he said.
Meanwhhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today chaired a high-level meeting during which security of vital defence installations were reviewed and a decision was taken to focus more on integrated efforts by the armed forces in the wake of terror attack at an Air Force base in Pathankot
Parrikar was briefed in detail by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the attack.
The meeting focussed on the intelligence inputs received and the counter measures taken by the armed forces including deployment of the NSG commandos, personnel of the special forces belonging to both Army and the IAF besides regular soldiers.
During the 90-minutes meeting, which was also attended by all the three Services chiefs and the Defence Secretary, the security of vital defence installation were reviewed.
“It was decided to focus on synergy between the assets of the three forces as today’s operation was an example of how an operation should be held,” the sources said.
Parrikar was given a detailed overview about the intelligence received and the action taken by the security forces to thwart the attack by the group of terrorists, suspected to be belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit.
Meanwhile, Parrikar tweeted saying he compliments the security forces for swift and effective response.
“I salute the brave martyrs for making the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our Motherland,” he added. (PTI)
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