Gurdaspur fallout: Want peace with Pakistan, but national honour comes first, says Rajnath Singh

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 27, 2015: As a furious encounter with armed terrorists continued in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said any peace with Pakistan cannot compromise on national honour. "We want peace with Pakistan, but not at the cost of national honour," Rajnath told reporters in New Delhi.

"I can’t understand why time and again cross border terror incidents are taking place when we want good relations with our neighbour," Rajnath added. In a clear message to Pakistan, he then warned, "We will not be the first to strike, but if we are hit, we will give a befitting reply."

Rajnath is expected to speak in Parliament once the Gurdaspur gunbattle, which has so far killed 15 people including a senior police officer and two terrorists, is over. "Once the encounter is over, the government will make a statement in the House," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said in New Delhi.

Rajnath, who had to cut short his trip to Madhya Pradesh where he was scheduled to attend the Raising Day ceremony of the CRPF, had earlier said he is in touch with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and other senior officials of the state and the Centre over the twin attacks at Dinanagar.


"The MHA is monitoring the situation in Gurudaspur and Punjab. I am confident that the situation will be soon brought in control," Rajnath said in another tweet. "Also spoke to Home Secretary and NSA regarding the situation in Gurudaspur. Security forces have been rushed to the spot," he added.

Security forces have been instructed to step up vigil at the India, Pakistan border following the attack in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, Rajnath Singh said earlier. "Spoke to DG BSF Shri DK Pathak and instructed him to step up the vigil on India-Pakistan border in the wake of attack in Gurudaspur," he tweeted after militants in army uniform struck.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s Superintendent of Police (Detective) Baljit Singh died after being shot in the head in the eight-hour gunbattle with the terrorists, Inspector General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, said. Singh succumed to his injuries at a local hospital.

Courtesy: Indiatoday