"Pakistan, the factory of terror is receiving befitting reply": Himachal LoP Jairam Thakur

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 9 (ANI): The former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Friday said that the Indian armed forces have taught the "terror factory" Pakistan a befitting lesson. Our brave forces have responded to Pakistan's brick with stones and bullets with bombs.
He emphasised that India's brave forces have responded to Pakistan's provocations with strength and determination.
Thakur highlighted that India's actions against Pakistan result from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unwavering commitment and the long-term preparations of the armed forces. He recalled Modi's assertion that terrorists and their masterminds would face consequences beyond their imagination.
"The Indian Army, which entered Pakistan and executed operations, also avenged the Kandahar hijacking case by eliminating Rauf Azhar, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, along with his associates," the release stated.
Thakur emphasised that these actions serve as justice for the victims of terrorism in India. He reiterated the Prime Minister's assurance that every perpetrator harming India and its citizens would be brought to justice.
He lauded the Indian Army's decisive actions, expressing gratitude to all branches of the military and the central leadership for delivering a strong blow to the epicentre of terror.
Thakur noted that Prime Minister Modi prioritised strengthening the nation's border security upon assuming power. He focused on enhancing India's self-defence and offensive capabilities. The Defence Ministry procured 36 multi-role Rafale fighter aircraft from France's Dassault Aviation at approximately Rs 58,941 crores.
"Despite opposition from the United States, India purchased the S-400 air defense system from Russia in 2018 for 5.43 billion dollars (approximately Rs 46,000 crores), now known as Sudarshan. To promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) accelerated the production of Tejas aircraft, and private startups were encouraged to participate in the defence sector," as per the release.
Thakur highlighted that most of the defence equipment used in recent operations was either indigenously produced or manufactured within India. This self-reliance ensured that, despite numerous missile and drone attacks, Pakistan failed to inflict significant harm. India not only thwarted every attack but also dismantled Pakistan's air defence systems.
As a result, Pakistan finds itself in a weakened position today. Thakur credited Modi's efforts for India's defence exports, surpassing Rs 22,000 crores this year, which made the nation less dependent on foreign countries for conventional weapons. He also mentioned India's successful testing of an anti-satellite weapon in March 2019, a capability possessed by only four countries globally.
The Leader of Opposition stated that the Indian populace has placed their trust in Prime Minister Modi, who has consistently met their expectations. Whenever Pakistan has posed a threat, India has responded decisively. Be it the surgical strikes post-Uri or the Balakot airstrikes after Pulwama, under Modi's leadership, the Indian Army has taught Pakistan significant lessons.
"Following the Pahalgam attack, India's three armed forces have conveyed a clear message to Pakistan, this is Modi's India, where not only terrorists but also their supporters and masterminds will face destruction for propagating terror," the release stated.
The entire world is witnessing the strength of the Indian forces and the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Thakur concluded. (ANI)