Ask questions on Balakot air strike to government, do not seek proof from security forces: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that it is fair to raise questions in a democracy and there is no harm in asking for details or proof from a government with regard to actions taken by it but it is unfair to ask security forces to give proof.

While responding to a question of why people are branded as "anti-national" and "Tukde Tukde" gang, if they ask for proof of Balakot air strike and Surgical strikes, the Home Minister, in an exclusive interview to ANI, said: "No one is termed anti-national for asking questions, we always give answers to relevant questions...Why should one ask for proof from Indian Air Force, who only bombed the terrorist centre. Should they count the bodies and give proof?"

On the question of opposition's allegation of politicisation of armed forces, the Home Minister said: "There should not be any politicisation of any system of the government and we never think of doing such a thing...Our Army and other government systems belonged to the country, not to any political party."

He added that the air strike by the IAF in Pakistan's Balakot took place on the basis of credible intelligence input. "During Balakot air strike, the IAF targeted terrorist training centres in Pakistan and ensured that no harm is done to civilians there. We took precautions while taking revenge of Pulwama terror attack, we made sure that Pakistan's Sovereignty and Integrity is not compromised and only terrorists are targeted. We did not attack Pakistan's army or harm the innocent civilians, we only targeted terrorists," he said.

"As a home minister of the country I am saying that the operation in Balakot took place on the basis of credible intelligence input," he added.