Pakistan attempting to destabilise India: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that Pakistan is attempting to destabilise India through terrorist elements.

Addressing a public meeting here, Singh said, "Pakistan is not mending its ways despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi trying his best to make cordial relations with Islamabad. Pakistan is trying to destabilise India through terrorist elements."

Singh also stated that the situation would not improve unless the government of Pakistan takes right initiatives to eliminate the menace of terrorism. "If they will take steps in the right direction and under right command, we may also help them in getting rid of the menace of terrorism," he added.

The Minister also slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for doing nothing except expressing his grief and regret over acts of terrorism.

"Pakistan is the land of terrorism as it gives shelter and patronage to terrorists. A terrorist attack took place on the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan but the Pakistan Prime Minister only expressed his regret, but did nothing about it," Singh said. Terming terrorism as "global" threat, Singh urged all countries to join hands to effectively deal with the menace of terrorism.

The minister said that security forces are neutralising terrorist almost every day in Jammu and Kashmir effectively, but unprovoked firing from across the border was taking a toll on Indian soldiers.

"In Kashmir, in last three to four days, our forces killed 18-19 terrorists. Even on Wednesday our forces killed the commander of LeT, Naveed Jatt. I have instructed the Border Security Force (BSF) to retaliate cross-border firing from Pakistan without caring for peace. Our BSF showed them the white flag 16 times but I told them that if they fire even a single bullet again, then you should retaliate without counting your bullets," said Singh.

He also assured the gathering that Naxalism would completely be wiped out in the next three to five years from the country. "In the last four years, Naxalism came down from 90 to eight or nine districts. Militancy in North-East decreased by 80-85 per cent," he added.

Singh also took on the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying that he is publicising his 'Gotra and caste' only to get votes for his party on the caste lines, which is very unfortunate. "He is telling his gotra and caste which is very unfortunate. This is an attempt by him to get votes on the caste lines," the minister said.