Pak waging proxy war, to be given befitting reply: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said Pakistan is waging a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir but the neighbouring country will be given a befitting reply.

“Pakistan has always been trying to occupy Jammu and Kashmir, and we consider this land (Jammu and Kashmir) and its people as our integral part.

“After facing defeat in face-to-face battles, Pakistan is now engaging in a proxy war on this paradise on the earth.

They also targetted others parts of the country. Our soldiers are fighting this battle professionally,” Parikkar, who was on a two-day visit to Kashmir, said at a function here.

The Defence Minister, accompanied by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, was here to pay homage to Major Somnath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra awardee of independent India and other soldiers who laid down their lives while pushing back an offensive by Pakistani raiders to control Srinagar Airport in 1947.

“On this occasion, let us renew the pledge to give fitting reply to the proxy war and end terrorism here,” Parikkar said addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen.

The Defence Minister said Pakistan was trying to mislead its own people and the people of Kashmir. “There is a popularly elected government here which is for the benefit of the Kashmiri people and take them on the path of development”.

He said misguided youth are today hitting at Kashmiriyat and destorying the future of Kashmiri children by burning down schools.

“The schools are important as the knowledge gained there will stay with the children forever. Wealth can end but not knowledge,” he said.