'Hope Pakistan will now stop terrorism against India', says Naidu

New Delhi [India], Sept. 29 (ANI): Union Ministers Manohar Parrikar and M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday congratulated the Indian Army for carrying out successful surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan. "Congratulations to the Indian Army for the successful operation," Defence Minister Parrikar said on Twitter. Speaking to media here in the national capital, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu said, "These operations are a part of a mandate of the Indian Army to foil any attempts of infiltration into our soil. In recent past, many attempts have been made to infiltrate in Indian soil. I compliment the Indian Army for their surgical operations against terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control. The army operation was a part of their responsibility in defending unity, safety and security of the country." "The country is safe in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Army. The Prime Minister has reassured nation that such acts will not be tolerated. Prime Minister Modi said that befitting measures will be taken to ensure the safety and security of the country," he added. The Union Minister said that terrorism has become a threat to India and the world at large. "Pakistan has chosen the path of encouraging terrorism. India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan that its territory should not be allowed for terror activities. Our positive gestures were only reciprocated with further encouragement to terrorists (by Pakistan)," he said. Naidu insisted the Uri terror attack in which 18 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives, left the people of India outraged. "Indians are appreciating steps taken by Indian Army. At least now Pakistan will stop terrorism against India. We are a peace loving country. However, Pakistan should realize its responsibility to maintain peace," he said. Indian Army conducted surgical strikes last night on terror launch pads across the Line of Control. Speaking to media today, Director General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh said that the motive of the operation was to hit out at the terrorists who were planning to infiltrate into the Indian Territory. Lt General Singh informed that significant casualty was caused to terrorists during the operation. The DGMO said, it is a matter of serious concern that there have been many infiltration bids by terrorists at the LoC and it was reflected in the terror attacks in Poonch and Uri on 11th and 18th of this month. He said nothing was done despite India's persistent request to Pakistan not to allow territory under its control to be used for terror activities. He said Pakistan gave a commitment to India in 2004 that it will not allow its soil to be used for anti India terror activities. He informed that almost 20 infiltration attempts have been successfully foiled by Indian Army this year. He said India has also offered consular access to apprehended terrorists from Pakistan and finger prints and DNA samples of the terrorists killed in Uri and Poonch attacks can also be made available to the neighbouring country. The DGMO said that he spoke to his Pakistani counterpart to share India's concerns and told him about the surgical strikes. He said, India cannot allow terrorists to operate across the LoC. (ANI)