MUMBAI, June 8:
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that he was “ready for talks with everyone” to resolve the Kashmir issue, and will not put any conditions for the purpose.
“Those who are instigating the Kashmiri youth should look upon them as their own child,” Singh said while speaking to reporters in Mumbai about the Modi Government’s achievements in three years.
“In a healthy democracy, every solution can be achieved through dialogue. I have said many times that I am ready for talks with everyone. We will not put any conditions and others should not put any conditions to us.
“We are working on a permanent integrated solution which will unfold gradually. All details of such a solution can not be disclosed now. But we won’t become a hurdle in the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On the recent unrest in the Valley, he said, “The Valley has faced such type of situation earlier too. There are some attempts to foment unrest from the Pakistani side, but we have managed to control it. More terrorists have been killed in the Valley in the recent years (than earlier).”
Except two incidents, there were no major terror attacks in Kashmir since May 2014, Singh said.
Rajnath said the ‘surgical strikes’ conducted by the Army across the Line of Control last year sent a strong message to Pakistan.
He said, “When we came to power in May 2014, we invited heads of all neighbouring countries (to the swearing-in ceremony). We wanted to give a message of peace. But Pakistan continued to create problems.
“Surgical strikes gave the message that we are not only able to kill on this side of the border but now can also cross the border and kill (Hum border ke iss par maar sakte hain, ab us side ghus kar bhi maar sakate hai),” he said.
He also claimed that there had been an incident where a woman and a child were killed in cross-border firing and Pakistani army did not respond to Indian side’s appeal through showing of white flag to hold talks.
“I was told our Army showed such flags on 16 occasions and not once Pakistani army acknowledged it,” he said.
“I ordered them not to show white flag next time. Don’t fire the first bullet, but when they shoot at us, fire so many bullets that it cannot be counted,” the minister said. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel