'Innocents Killed In Name Of Dharma': Rajnath Singh Says Terror Camps Destroyed Based On Karma
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the Indian Armed Forces for taking decisive action against terrorists during Operation Sindoor in May, saying that terrorists linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba had gunned down terrorists based on their dharma (religion), but the Indian Army destroyed their hideouts based on their karma.
Speaking at an event in Telangana on Friday, Singh lauded the patience and restraint shown by the Indian Armed Forces while dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, adding that complete caution was exercised so that no civilian population was harmed, as per an official statement.
'Terrorists killed innocent civilians in Pahalgam based on their Dharma, while the Armed Forces, through Operation Sindoor, destroyed the hideouts of terrorists based on their Karma," he said.
India launched precise strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK on May 7 and destroyed key terror hideouts in response to the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. India and Pakistan exchanged four days of hostilities before reaching an understanding.
Rajnath Singh assured that the Armed Forces are free and capable of taking all kinds of action against terrorism in the future, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the statement, the defence minister said estraint showcased by the Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor was similar to the qualities of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju who made an invaluable contribution to India's freedom struggle.
The event was held in honour of Alluri Sitarama Raju, whom Singh described as a 'warrior-saint" and drew a direct line between his legacy and the ethos of India's modern defence and development strategy.
'Alluri Ji was not just a revolutionary, he was a movement. His guerrilla resistance, despite limited resources, remains a shining example of courage driven by principle. He taught us that standing up against injustice is not just a right, it is the nation's Dharma," he said.
He also said the government's efforts were inspired not just by policy but by emotion and deep commitment to the values Alluri ji lived and died for. He also highlighted how Alluri ji transcended caste barriers and is remembered across India as a 'tribal warrior'.
The minister also listed out the recent government initiatives, including the PM Tribal Development Mission, Skill India, and the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Campaign, describing them as tangible steps towards mainstreaming tribal communities with dignity and opportunity.
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July 04, 2025, 21:22 IST
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