A warning to Pakistan? Rajnath Singh cautions 'neighbour' against misadventure amid Iran war

E-PaperSubscribeSubscribeEnjoy unlimited accessSubscribe Now! Get features like Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday issued a stern warning of decisive action to India's "neighbour" in the event of any “misadventure” carried out by it amid the current global situation due to the Iran war. Defence minister Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh)US-Israel strikes on February 28 on Iran triggered a retaliation by the Iranians that has led to full-blown war in the Middle East. Track Iran war April 2 updates here "Our neighbour, in the current situation, can commit any misadventure. If it does so, India's action will be unprecedented and decisive, defence minister Rajnath Singh said, without taking any name, and added that Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Singh, speaking at a Sainik Samman Sammelan in poll-bound Kerala, also said that Indian Navy ships were safely escorting the country's tankers through the choked Strait of Hormuz. Rajnath Singh's remarks appeared to be referring to Pakistan, against which India launched Operation Sindoor military strikes in May last year responding to a deadly terror attack a month earlier in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Dismissing rumours of fuel crisis in the country, Rajnath Singh said in his address, “...Some people want to cause panic by spreading lies over this conflict in West Asia. Neither is there a shortage of petrol-diesel in the country, nor a shortage of gas. India is prepared to deal with any energy crisis.” He slammed the Opposition for indulging in petty politics “instead of standing with the country during this crisis”. He also said, "Today we are all going through a phase of major changes. A major conflict is going on in West Asia. Many people from Kerala live and work in these countries, but we should not worry at all because we will not lag behind in taking any steps for the protection and security of our Indian citizens. We are fully prepared for this." India launched Operation Sindoor military strikes against Pakistan on May 7 last year in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists found to have links with Pakistan killed several civilians. “The way terrorists targeted people on the basis of religion in Pahalgam… the attack was not just on India but on country's social unity and social fabric,” Rajnath Singh said on Thursday at the event. Under Operation Sindoor, India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Operation Sindoor strikes led to a four-day military conflict after Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards India. Nayanika is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, with over six years of experience in the digital media industry. She specialises in delivering clear, insightful coverage across general, national, and international beats, with a strong focus on breaking news and in-depth explainers. Known for her ability to decode complex developments, she enjoys unpacking layered political and policy issues into accessible, reader-friendly narratives that inform without overwhelming. She has previously worked in India's leading newsrooms, including India Today, News18, and Outlook, where she chased news, covered major events of the past six years and led teams. With a Master's degree in Political Science, Nayanika has a keen interest in international relations and global affairs. Her academic grounding shapes her analytical approach to stories, enabling her to connect the dots between domestic events and broader geopolitical currents. She is particularly drawn to stories that require context, nuance, and clarity - turning complicated subjects into compelling reads. Outside the newsroom, Nayanika is a passionate gourmand who loves cooking and sharing meals with loved ones. When she's not writing or tracking the latest headlines, she can often be found exploring local markets for fresh ingredients, seeking inspiration for her next culinary experiment.Read More