The political leadership which took the ‘strong decision’ to go ahead with the 2016 surgical strikes on terror camps on Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK) cannot be denied credit, Goa chief Minister and Ex-Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday.
Lauding the armed forces for executing the strikes on ground, Mr. Parrikar said, “It is a courageous and strong leadership which could take the decision and the Prime Minister supported the decision right from day one.’’
Mr. Parrikar who was Defence Minister when the surgical strikes took place observed that the footage which had been broadcast by a national news channels was only a fraction of the actual evidence of the strikes, which the Congress had repeatedly questioned.
"The exercise has been carried out by armed forces and the credit goes to the armed forces. But you cannot deny the credit to the political leadership which took the strong decision,’’ Mr. Parrikar said while speaking to a national news channel here at the State Secretariat on Thursday.
He recalled that it was an extensive operation which was carried out after extensive planning and preparation.
“It could only happen, I think, because of the crucial leadership of the Prime Minister," Mr. Parrikar said, adding that preparing for a counter-eventuality in case things do not go as planned, was one of the most crucial elements of the operation. It is 's very easy to say about such actions when they are successful. If there was some loss of life, I think it could have been damaging,” he said.
“For me, while taking a decision, while Prime Minister's support was very much there, issues like what if this escalates? If this goes out beyond the intended limited operation and if there is retaliation, then what? We had to prepare ourselves for any eventuality. Our planning was detailing about complete fall-out in case something goes wrong. That was the important part for me,’’ Mr. Parrikar said.
When asked if the Congress should apologise for its criticism of the operation and questioning its very veracity, Mr. Parrikar said, “I think they should realise their mistake. I don't know whether apology is the right word.But they should henceforth,in matters of national interest and the armed forces, should be very careful in commenting as morale of the armed forces is also at stake.’’
