Parrikar compares Pak to hell, later says remark not official statement

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar told a gathering of BJP workers on Tuesday Indian troops had “sent back five terrorists” to Pakistan, adding that “going to Pakistan is the same as going to hell.”

However, at a press conference after his speech, Parrikar said: “There’s a difference between a speech and a statement. What I said was a part of my speech and not an official statement by me. Why do media always pick up the wrong part?”

Indian troops had killed five militants who attempted a cross-border incursion on Monday.

Parrikar’s remark against Pakistan came at a BJP meet in Rewari. He said Pakistan had no strength left for a face-to-face battle with India, and that’s why it was trying to wound India through terrorism.

“The BJP government has given full freedom to our jawans. If Pakistan fires one bullet, then our forces retaliate with 10. We have asked our forces to kill all their terrorists rather than being a victim of their terror,” the minister said.

Talking on the recent unrest in Kashmir, Parrikar said Pakistan was trying to create tension in the Valley, but the security forces minimised the terror threat.

At least 64 people have been killed during protests, while schools, shops, banks and offices remain closed in much of Kashmir as paramilitary troops patrol roads, residential areas and mosques.

Parrikar also said Pakistan Occupied Kashmir was always a part of India, and “with the speech of Prime Minister Narendra at Red Fort on Monday, we have initiated a process of claiming our territory back.”