New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday strongly defended the government’s actions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that India had not declared war on Pakistan but instead launched a “limited aggression” under Operation Sindoor to target terror infrastructure.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah said, “We did not declare war against Pakistan. What ceasefire are they talking about? It was a targeted, legitimate response to terrorism—a matter of self-defence.”
He emphasized that India’s actions were precise and concluded once their objectives were achieved, adding that no third country intervened during the operation. “We hit back decisively. Pakistan pleaded for a ceasefire after we had achieved 100% of our objectives,” Shah said.
Responding to criticism from the Opposition, Shah took a direct swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, “Rahul Gandhi should not worry about PoK. It will be taken back—leave that to the BJP.” He accused Congress of years of leniency towards Pakistan, claiming they had “given a clean chit to Pakistan” while failing to act firmly against terrorism.
“Congress has no moral right to question the BJP on terrorism. It is because of their votebank politics and appeasement that terrorism took root in the first place,” he said.
In a significant revelation, Shah confirmed that the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack—Suleiman alias Faizal Jatt, Afghan, and Jibran—were neutralized during Operation Mahadev. The operation, conducted on Monday, was a joint effort by the 4 Para Battalion, CRPF, and the Jammu & Kashmir Police.
“These terrorists were trying to flee to Pakistan, but our forces didn’t let them escape. All three were shot dead—coincidentally, all with bullets to the head, as many citizens had demanded,” Shah said.
He added that forensic evidence confirmed the weapons used in the April 22 attack matched those recovered during Operation Mahadev. Investigative agencies had interviewed 155 individuals and probed those suspected of sheltering the attackers.
Highlighting what he called a major success of the Modi government, Shah stated, “Not a single Kashmiri youth has joined a terrorist group in the past six months. All terrorists killed recently have been Pakistanis.”
Shah made it clear that dialogue with Pakistan is off the table until it completely stops supporting terrorism. “Only then can there be any scope for talks. Until then, our approach will remain firm and clear,” he said.
He also linked India’s rising global stature under PM Modi to the country’s internal stability. “The G20 hosted by us was the most successful ever. The world is watching India’s democracy today because of the strong leadership of Narendra Modi,” he said.
In a sharp retort to former Union Minister P. Chidambaram’s criticism of Operation Sindoor, Shah said, “Who started the term Hindu terrorism? I say with pride—no Hindu can ever be a terrorist.”
Slamming Chidambaram for questioning the government’s evidence in the Pahalgam case, Shah accused him of indirectly defending Pakistan and terrorist groups. “On the very day he raised questions, all three terrorists were eliminated. Who was he trying to protect—Pakistan? Lashkar-e-Taiba?”
He also reminded the House of Chidambaram’s role in delaying the hanging of Afzal Guru, convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack.
Responding to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s objection to naming the recent operation Mahadev, Shah invoked history. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj raised the slogan ‘Har Har Mahadev’ during his battles. But the Congress sees everything through a Hindu-Muslim lens.”
“‘Har Har Mahadev’ is not just a religious chant—it’s a symbol of our civilizational strength,” Shah asserted.
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