Our army of 1.3m is not to preach peace: Parrikar

NEW DELHI: Undeterred by the controversy over his earlier “terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists” remark, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has asserted that he will go to “any extent” to protect India and those who attack will be “paid back in the same coin”.
Parrikar noted that his remarks had evoked a sharp reaction only from one country and, without naming Pakistan, said the question was about his reaction to the terrorist camps in ‘Pakistan-occupied Kashmir supported by Pakistan’. “So the response was based on that,” he told PTI in an interview.
He further added that the word “neutralise” does not mean only killing, but also making terrorists switch the sides and surrendering.
Underlining that his remark was generic and not against anyone in particular, Parrikar maintained that only a certain part of his remarks was picked up and highlighted.
“Basically, if I have to defend my country, I will go to any extent ... Whatever is required to be done will be done. That is the basic motto which one should have.
“If someone harms my country, I have to take pro-active action ... The army’s basic purpose is that if anyone attacks the country, attack him back. Pay him back in the same coin,” Parrikar asserted, underlining that one does not keep 13 lakh-strong Army to “preach peace”. However, he clarified that “I have not said I am going to do covert operation. I did not talk about it. The person who asked me talked about covert operation. Not me.”
During a media event last week, Parrikar, in reply to a question, had said, “We have to neutralise terrorists through terrorists only. Why can’t we do it? We should do it.”
The remarks generated sharp reaction from Pakistan which said it confirms apprehensions about India’s involvement in terrorism.
The Indian minister also said he is clear when he talks about neutralising. “The word neutralising does not mean killing all the time. Neutralising means a person surrendering, using someone against someone, it can be through peaceful means also. Neutralising means he comes on your side. That means intelligence,” he said.
Parrikar said he has directed the army that if someone starts firing at them, “then kill him”.
“I have told army that they should not hesitate. Don’t lose your men like Col Rai who was such a brave soldier. I can’t afford to lose such wonderful men,” Parrikar said.
Col MN Rai was killed in Jammu and Kashmir in January by a militant who said he was surrendering after being encircled. He fatally shot Col Rai before being gunned down.