Whoever gives India pain, should be paid in same coin: Parrikar

Even as he advocates tit-for-tat policy, Defence Minister clarifies that his statement should not be taken as govt thinking

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asserted that any individual or organisation that hurts the country should be given the same pain but how, when and where should be India's choice, remarks which come in the backdrop of the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing an audience which consisted of top army brass, including its chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, the Minister said that history tells us that until those who inflict damage on others experience the same pain, they don't change.

"I am of the opinion, it should not be taken as a government thinking, I always believe that if anyone harms you, he understands the same language."

"How, when and where should be of your choice but if someone is harming this country, then that particular individual or organisation, I purposely used the words individual and organisation, should also receive the pain of such activities," he said at a seminar organised by the Army here.

Asked to elaborate, Parrikar later said, "Basic principle is that until we give them pain, whoever they may be, until then, such incidents will not reduce".

In a reference to the Pathankot attack, the Minister said the country was proud of its seven soldiers who laid down their lives but he is pained by the loss.

"I don't appreciate it. I have said that it is time we tell our soldiers that it is inevitable that we will lose some soldiers, and in this incident we lost one person in actual combat.

"We should tell them to think of the concept of taking life of your enemy, enemy of the country, instead of giving your life. This is an important aspect," he said.

He said that while sacrifice is respected, what nation needs is to neutralise the enemy.

Asked if that means there is a change in policy from the previous UPA government, Parrikar retorted, "If someone comes and hammers you, you should keep quite? Was that the policy?

"What I am saying is basically that history tells you that those who damage you, if they don't realise what pain they inflict, then they don't change".