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Fighting terror with terrorists: Indian defence minister outlines strategy for new 'proxy' war

Says a thorn should be used to remove another thorn, questions why Indian soldiers have to be frontline against terror

Web Desk May 22, 2015

India Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. PHOTO REUTERS

NEW DELHI: Vowing to take 'proactive' steps to prevent another Mumbai 2008 attack from being hatched on foreign soil, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday hinted towards a new proxy war, saying they had to "neutralise terrorists through terrorists only".

"There are certain things that I obviously cannot discuss here. But if there is any country, why only Pakistan, planning something against my country, we will definitely take some pro-active steps."

Speaking at an event organised by a local news channel in New Delhi, Parrikar used the colloquial Hindi phrase 'kante se kanta nikalna' (removing a thorn using another thorn) and questioned why the Indian soldier had to be on the frontlines facing terrorists.

"We have to neutralise terrorists through terrorists only. Why can't we do it? We should do it. Why does my soldier have to do it?"

Read: Read: Indian defence minister wants swift deal on French Rafale jets

Elaborating on the ‘proactive steps’ he talked about, Parrikar said these could include pressure tactics.

He refused to elaborate any further on the manner in the public gathering.

Asked what would be his government's reaction if there is a repeat of the Mumbai attacks or the Parliament attack, he said the best response would include ensuring an attack does not take place. He added that the Indian army had been given orders to neutralise infiltrators.

"I can only say that anyone trying to infiltrate will be neutralised."

Parrikar remarked that ‘a terrorist who comes with a gun cannot be lectured on human rights’.

He, however, mentioned that instructions had also been given to avoid collateral damage and prevent civilian and Indian military casualties.

Read: RAW formed to wipe Pakistan off the map of the world: Khawaja Asif

"Porosity on borders is less; intelligence has improved," he detailed of results of his governments efforts.

The article first appeared on DNA India

COMMENTS (26)

Shehryar | 9 years ago | Reply This is the reason why both the counties at unrest, people like him advocate terrorism, all such people be it in Pakistan or India should be brought to justice and trialed, comments like this should not go unnoticed and proper investigation should take place.

Ibrar | 9 years ago | Reply @Azi: @Asad: Ancient India had already developed aeroplane which was hijacked and thus they lost the technology...haha!. One would be inclined to excuse them for these claims considering that these guys seem to suffer from a mental state characterized by a profound sense of intensified sensory perception, sometimes accompanied by severe perceptual distortion and hallucinations and by extreme feelings of either euphoria or despair. The certainly are a useful and ready source for a laugh.

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farooq | 9 years ago | Reply an excellent example of chankiya mentality. now you can easily understand the indian state terrorism in J&K

Azi | 9 years ago | Reply @Indian Guy: Graduating from a top university doesn't always mean a smart person. Notice difference b/w smart/ intelligent and bright/ sponge mind. It does however help in most cases to get to top positions. In wake of modi's nod to hindutivas, you should see some of the funny things they say everyday. My fav. was that ancient india had already developed air planes. See the thing is that when you have a nation, globally recognized as among the most depressed, its not hard to boost their spirit by even the most non sense rubbish anyone throws at that because they are actually looking for it. So until Indians realize they are suffering from hypnosis, these paper bag threats will only make us laugh.

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply Nothing new here..we know that India is funding terrorism in Pakistan. But things are going to change very soon just wait and watch!

Muhammad | 9 years ago | Reply @Jag Nathan: This is perhaps the last time you have voted for anyone, such will be your hopelessness with your politicians. They never hesitate to lure you by their fake promises and disastrous policies. The only good thing Narender Modi is doing is that with the exception of Pakistan he is running around visiting several countries with in few months for which his opposition thinks he is behaving like a juggler. His policy vs China, enemy no1, is changing most spectacularly particularly following recent strengthening of Pak-China ties, so that he is prepared to forget all about existing disputes and instead is happy to lick their feet. He is also the first Indian Prime Minister who has recognised how Indians feel about being born in India as if because of their sins. The other good thing about your leader is that Pakistani flags are waving more often in Kashmir than in the past. Times are changing so are increasing militancy in several Indian states and he is only trying to deal with them by running around like headless chicken. You may think he has taken the fight into Pakistan but remember Pakistan has not yet unleashed its forces.

amad | 9 years ago | Reply The intrinsic beauty of Pakistani Democracy.

Jag Nathan | 9 years ago | Reply I am glad I voted for Narendra Modi. For the first time in many decades we have a government in New Delhi who know and will take the fight to the enemies home. I am proud of what Narendra Modi and Manohar Parrikar have achieved to date. I am glad they have once again successfully used the famous Chanaky's wisdom to tie our enemies up in a million knots.

waseem | 9 years ago | Reply @SEAsian: This comment from the indian minister gives me real hope now. Those who never learn their lesson remain behind forever. Pakistan should have learned its lesson from Indias support of the tamils. Instaed we went on to make the same mistake and learned the lesson the hard way. The good thing here is that india has neither learned from us nor from their own previous mistake. Good job india. The same mistake that cost America Trillions of dollar and a lot of body bags and the same goes for Pakistan is going to be made by India. I am really looking forward to it.

Faraz | 9 years ago | Reply @wiserneighbour: Your yard stick of measuring intelligence is the ability to kill women and children by the dozen. Maybe if you weren't so repulsive and envious, you would leave Pakistanis alone.

Faraz | 9 years ago | Reply @SEAsian: you typical ugly Indian psychopath, killing millions of women and children to avenge the death of Indian army douchebags in Kashmir is a thing of beauty?....Indians have no concept of beauty, no wonder the whole world finds you repulsive.

wiserneighbour | 9 years ago | Reply @Faraz: If face is your yardstick to measure intelligence and capability,then you definitely a product of mullah university.

samir | 9 years ago | Reply So you will kill innocent people first? Is that the strategy? Psychopath

Ostrich | 9 years ago | Reply Why Pakistan is not happy to taste the same medicine they prepared and have been thrusting it in Bharat's throat for decades...Remember the first time you sent rogues into our territory in 1947 and this saga continued from your end in various forms...Remember?? then it became normal for you and deadly over the decades...Should we remind attack on our parliament, mumbai attacks and continually and openly you guys have audacity to finance and support terrorism in J&k and also support guys like lakhvi, dawood etc. etc etc. Now even the thought that someone can think of giving back to you guys this same medicine is taking sheet (deliberate spelling mistake) out of you...sounds funny....Ek Bharatiya.

SEAsian | 9 years ago | Reply @Faraz: "This man’s ugly face says it all…." He must be doing something beautiful if he elicits a reaction like this.

SEAsian | 9 years ago | Reply @Usman: What does "liberals" have to do with this? Clever comment, wrong subject.

SEAsian | 9 years ago | Reply “I can only say that anyone trying to infiltrate will be neutralised.” He is right on this one. With the LOC bristling with high-tech sensors, infiltrators get mowed down before they even reach the fence. Thousands perish in a vain attempt to keep the fire burning. Apart from a few paid Pakistani flag-waving protesters, the Kashmir issue is dead.

Arthur | 9 years ago | Reply RAW is already engage in proxy war in Baluchistan, KP and in Karachi. This is not new. Indian Leadership is just spelling it out now.

SEAsian | 9 years ago | Reply An eye for an eye... that is what the holy book prescribes. And that is what shall come to pass.

Usman | 9 years ago | Reply What do our frothing at the mouth liberals have to say about this?

Azi | 9 years ago | Reply Yeah all their threats of surgical strikes died down as soon as they were issued. It's a matter of time until raw is exposed then India would actually rightfully complain about infiltrators wrecking havoc while bsf is useless and helpless because we all know at the moment its the 3rd class actors combined with amateurs.

Ammar | 9 years ago | Reply The Snake is unleashed. Watch out everyone.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply Wow! the world should take notice Indian government is sponsoring terror in other countries. Pakistan should vigorously raise this issue internationally and then the US president should give a statement against this in Pakistan just like he did in India because U.S. stands against terrorism. Doesn't it?

Indian Guy | 9 years ago | Reply This guy is an IIT graduate and actually did a great job as the chief minister of Goa. But seems he is a crazy person after all. He was initially reluctant in taking up a union ministry and now I understand his own assessment of himself was kind of correct. Makes a terrible defense minister. Should have stuck to his job as chief minister.

Faraz | 9 years ago | Reply This man's ugly face says it all....

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply “Porosity on borders is less; intelligence has improved,” he detailed of results of his governments efforts. Its because of paradigm change in GHQ doctrine of national security. Instead of appreciating it some clowns are taking credit for themselves.Talking proxy proxy may please idiots back home but wouldn't help either side achieving anything positive.

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