DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday slammed Pakistan for making terrorism a “part of its state policy”, and said there will be no talks with the country other than on Pakistanoccupied-Kashmir, which is a “part of India illegally occupied” by it. In his address at the KargilWar Memorial here, the Defence Minister also said that Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated what will be the fate of those who attempt to threaten India with terrorism, asserting that the country can respond to any misadventure by Pakistan in a manner “beyond their imagination”. The occasion was the 27th anniversary of KargilVijay Diwas, with Singh describing India’s victory in the Kargil war in 1999 as “a diamond studded in the crown of Bharat Mata”. The Sun shone bright in the morning in the Dras Valley as Singh laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial, offering his homage to the fallen heroes. Three helicopters in arrowhead formation, led by an advanced light helicopter and followed by two Cheetals, showered floral petals on the memorial. The Defence Minister, who arrived here on Saturday, was the chief guest at the ‘Shradhanjali Samaroh’ - wreath-laying ceremony - at the Kargil War Memorial. Recalling the Operation Sindoor conducted in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, he said the Indian Armed Forces dealt a severe blow to the backers and supporters of terrorism. “Operation Sindoor made it clear what the fate will be of those who attempt to threaten India with terrorism,” Rajnath said. Asserting that India and its Armed Forces have the capacity to respond to any misadventure by Pakistan in a manner “beyond their imagination”, he said, “Any evil step towards the sovereignty and integrity of India will meet with the same fate.”

 

“There will be no talks with Pakistan other than on Pakistan-OccupiedKashmir (PoK), a part of India which it occupied illegally,” the Defence Minister said. Sharpening his attack on the neighbouring country, Singh said at a time when India is designing ships, Pakistan is busy engaging in terror design. PRESIDENT REMEMBERS VALIANT WARRIORS: On Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday paid tribute to the valiant warriors who laid down their lives for the protection of the motherland, and said the nation shall forever remain indebted to them. On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of ‘Operation Vijay’, declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle with Pakistani troops on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh. “On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, I pay humble tribute to those valiant warriors who laid down their lives for the protection of our motherland,” Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi. ‘VALOUR OF BRAVE SOLDIERS REMAINS SOURCE OF NATIONAL PRIDE’: As the country commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the valour of India’s brave soldiers in the face of most formidable conditions will forever remain a source of national pride. On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi also said that the nation expresses gratitude to the brave soldiers for their extraordinary courage and commitment towards securing India.