New Delhi, May 4 — In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said it is his “responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country.”
Speaking at the Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in Delhi, Singh emphasized India’s twin strength—its military and spiritual heritage—while invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and decisiveness.
“As a Defence Minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the security of the country’s borders along with my soldiers,” Singh said.
“It is also my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country.”
He drew a symbolic contrast between India’s military and spiritual strength. “Our brave soldiers protect the physical form of India, while our sages and wise men protect the spiritual form. While our soldiers fight on the ‘Rannbhoomi’ (battlefield), our saints fight on the ‘Jeevanbhoomi’,” he said.
Singh also assured the audience of strong leadership at the helm.
“You know our Prime Minister very well. You are familiar with his working style and determination,” he said.
“I want to assure you that under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, what you desire will certainly happen.”
His remarks follow a high-level security meeting chaired by PM Modi earlier this week, where the Prime Minister gave the armed forces full operational freedom to determine India’s response to the April 22 attack.
During the meeting—attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force—Modi said, “It is our national resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism.”
The Pahalgam terror strike, which occurred on April 22 at the Baisaran meadow near the popular tourist town, marked the deadliest civilian attack in Kashmir in years. The victims were mostly tourists, highlighting a worrying shift in militant targeting.
Rajnath Singh concluded his address by reiterating that India’s strength lies not only in its military might but also in its cultural and spiritual identity.
“India’s power is not only in its armed forces but also in its culture and spirituality,” he said.
