Cong’s Sachin Pilot told TOI’s Subodh Ghildiyal Osama bin Laden was found hiding in a Pakistan military town and India has again exposed Pakistan as a country that harbours terror. Excerpts:
How do you view India's offensive response against Pakistan?
The valour of the Indian armed forces is second to none, and Pakistan has got a befitting reply to the misadventure they conducted in Pahalgam. India has responded adequately, the attack on terror infrastructure was imminent, it had to be done. The Indian armed forces have done an exemplary job of avoiding civilian casualties and targeting those areas and individuals who have always propagated terror in India. We should not forget that it was Pakistan that gave a safe haven to Osama bin Laden, and that too in Abbottabad which is a military station. In fact, all known terrorists, like Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, have been associated with the state of Pakistan. Pakistan is calling for a fair inquiry but inquiry into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks clearly showed that Pakistan was directly involved in those attacks. That is why Pakistan is in the UN watch list of nations harbouring terror. Pakistan had to be taught a lesson.
What do you say about Congress's stand on the post-Pahalgam situation?
On the very day of the terror attack, the Congress president announced that the party stood with the govt in any adequate response that needed to be given to Pakistan, and the Congress Working Committee passed an unanimous resolution. Whatever our political differences, we are united on national interests.
Is there a shift in the stand held by Congress?
No. Let's not forget when Indira Gandhi as PM was forced into a corner and a war had to be waged to break Pakistan into two, the entire country, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, supported her actions. When Parliament was attacked on Dec 13, Sonia Gandhi told PM Vajpayee in Parliament that the entire opposition was with him in giving Pakistan a befitting reply. The same tradition continues. Whether Congress is in govt or opposition, we always have the policy of 'nation first' and zero tolerance on terror. It is Congress that has lost its netas to terror. We are on the frontline of fighting terror.
How do you see the whole situation as an army man?
Besides being a politician, I do serve in the Territorial Army, and I could not be more proud of what our defence forces have done over the last 70 years and continue to do. We owe a large debt to all those in uniform. The armed forces have shown that they are second to none. The technology, bravery and precision involved in the way the army conducted these operations shows that it is a world class organisation.
How do you view India's offensive response against Pakistan?
The valour of the Indian armed forces is second to none, and Pakistan has got a befitting reply to the misadventure they conducted in Pahalgam. India has responded adequately, the attack on terror infrastructure was imminent, it had to be done. The Indian armed forces have done an exemplary job of avoiding civilian casualties and targeting those areas and individuals who have always propagated terror in India. We should not forget that it was Pakistan that gave a safe haven to Osama bin Laden, and that too in Abbottabad which is a military station. In fact, all known terrorists, like Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, have been associated with the state of Pakistan. Pakistan is calling for a fair inquiry but inquiry into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks clearly showed that Pakistan was directly involved in those attacks. That is why Pakistan is in the UN watch list of nations harbouring terror. Pakistan had to be taught a lesson.
What do you say about Congress's stand on the post-Pahalgam situation?
On the very day of the terror attack, the Congress president announced that the party stood with the govt in any adequate response that needed to be given to Pakistan, and the Congress Working Committee passed an unanimous resolution. Whatever our political differences, we are united on national interests.
Is there a shift in the stand held by Congress?
No. Let's not forget when Indira Gandhi as PM was forced into a corner and a war had to be waged to break Pakistan into two, the entire country, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, supported her actions. When Parliament was attacked on Dec 13, Sonia Gandhi told PM Vajpayee in Parliament that the entire opposition was with him in giving Pakistan a befitting reply. The same tradition continues. Whether Congress is in govt or opposition, we always have the policy of 'nation first' and zero tolerance on terror. It is Congress that has lost its netas to terror. We are on the frontline of fighting terror.
How do you see the whole situation as an army man?
Besides being a politician, I do serve in the Territorial Army, and I could not be more proud of what our defence forces have done over the last 70 years and continue to do. We owe a large debt to all those in uniform. The armed forces have shown that they are second to none. The technology, bravery and precision involved in the way the army conducted these operations shows that it is a world class organisation.
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