Let's not pat our back, be prepared for retaliation: Raju

Hyderabad, Sep 29: Former Union minister M M Pallam Raju today cautioned the NDA government not to "pat its back" for the "surgical strike" across Line of Control, saying it should be prepared for possible retaliation from Pakistan.

However, the senior Congress leader appreciated the timing as "perfect" for the strike on Line of Control (LoC). "I would like to commend the Indian armed forces on the well planned surgical strike across the Line of Control.

India has been exercising restraint and that has unfortunately been interpreted as weakness by Pakistan. I hope the strong message that has been delivered by the armed forces will be taken note of by Pakistan," Raju said.

"I think this is a good retribution. But at the same time we have to be prepared also. Let's not pat ourselves on our backs. We should also be prepared for retaliation from their end. In what form the retaliation comes, will it be (in the form of) stepped up terror attacks or would it step up (its activities) that would lead to war. This is what we have to be prepared for," Pallam Raju told PTI.

DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh today said India carried out surgical strike on terror launch pads across the Line of Control, inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists and those who are trying to support them.

Replying to query, Raju said the ruling NDA government has given sufficient freedom to the armed forces which yielded good results. "I am happy that they have given the armed forces the freedom to step across the Line of Control and take action.

Before that they have also built up sufficient international pressure to give a justification for the strike," he said. The former Minister of State for Defence blamed Pakistan's Army and ISI for terror attacks on India, saying they are encouraging such acts as the neighbouring country can never win a conventional war against India.

PTI