No need to release 'sugrical strike' video: Manohar Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said there was no reason to release video of the army’s “surgical strike” and questioned the patriotism of those who “doubted” the operation.He also referred to a television news report that had a Pakistani police officer on tape talking about the “surgical strike” . “There is now no more reason to release video or to give any proof...It was a 100% perfect surgical strike. Even when bigger nations conduct surgical strikes, they are not as successful,” he said.

Speaking at an ex-servicemen’s rally in Agra, Parrikar questioned the patriotism of those who doubted the strikes.As the clamour for releasing the video-footage of the “surgical strike” gained traction within a section of the political class, officials felt it would be unwise to release the video as it contains important operational details. “No one had doubted bravery of our forces ever, but for the first time, recently some people are doubting,” Parrikar said without taking any names.

The defence minister was part of the government team that planned the operation in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack. He is the first senior BJP



leader who countered the demand put forward by several political leaders.

Parrikar said Pakistan has been shaken by the strikes and the terrorists could try to strike back out of frustration. He said he would not hesitate in taking difficult decisions on the issue of the country’s defence.

The minister also rejected allegations that the BJP was trying to take political advantage of the “surgical strikes”. When asked about the demand for release of the video in the wake of Pakistan’s denial, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday had said, “Just wait and watch.”

Three former Army chiefs — Gen V P Malik, Gen J J Sigh and Gen Deepak Kapoor — have already spoken against the demand for video proof. They said the army should not be doubted and releasing the video would not be in the national interest. Earlier in the day, Parrikar sought larger cooperation between nations to end terror. “Non-traditional threats and terrorism remain the foremost challenges to the Southeast Asia region. We need to oppose terrorism resolutely everywhere,” he said at an ASEAN-level conference of the heads of defence universities and colleges.