Pakistan stands exposed as 'sponsor of terror': Home minister Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah on Friday said Islamabad, by targeting civilian settlements and military facilities in India in response to Operation Sindoor that was strictly confined to destroying terror bases in Pakistan, stands thoroughly exposed before the world, "as a sponsor of terror".

"Pakistan construed hits on the terror bases on its soil as an attack on Pakistan Army," he said while delivering the Rustamji Memorial lecture at the BSF investiture ceremony here.

Shah said the Indian armed forces, while launching Operation Sindoor on May 8, had focused on hitting nine terrorist installations in Pakistan - linked to outfits JeM, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen and which included their headquarters, training camps and launchpads. "The strikes were over in minutes. No civilian or military installation in Pakistan was touched. We were convinced that the May 8 strikes on the terror bases in Pakistan were enough to avenge the Pahalgam attack," he shared. "But Pakistan retaliated with an audacious attempt to target our civilian settlements and military facilities after May 8. These did no harm as our air defence system is infallible. On May 9, India gave Pakistan a befitting and stern response by hitting airbases on their side; this showcased our strike capabilities, while exposing Pakistan's hollow air defence systems."

Stating that even on May 9, India did not target civilian areas in Pakistan, Shah said this sets apart India's retaliation from anti-terror actions elsewhere in the world.

"When Pakistan-based terror hideouts were hit, the response came from Pakistan army. Pakistan Army brass was seen attending the namaaz-e- janaaza of the terrorists killed," Shah said. "What Pakistan had been denying all along, it is now for the world to see - that terror in India is Pakistan-sponsored."

"Operation Sindoor has earned global praise not only for the strike capabilities of Indian armed forces but also their restraint. We entered 100km into Pakistan territory and made them eat humble pie. The entire country is proud of its armed forces and BSF," Shah also said.