Pulwama has not dented morale of armed forces: Defence Minister

The Pulwama attack has not, in any way, dented the morale of our Army. The public response has greatly motivated them, and they are confident they will defeat the forces backing terror, said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 

Sitharaman, who addressed a press meet on the eve of Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru, said that, during her interaction with the jawans, she was informed that their morale was very high. "We are happy to see that. At the same time, it is our duty to help keep up their spirits by not doubting their capabilities," added the defence minister.    

Slamming Pakistan for seeking evidence while denying it's role in the Pulwama attack, Sitharaman said, "The government has provided evidence after evidence, and dossier after dossier on earlier attacks against India. But what action has Pakistan taken? Today there is nothing for Pakistan to show they have acted on the evidences given by India."

Refusing to be drawn into a debate on India's next move and response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's "ready to retaliate" remark, Sitharaman said, "We need more information from the ground before we can decide what strategy to adopt. No words can assuage the anger and pain felt by every Indian. I recognise all that, and the government is seriously concerned about what has happened."

Sitharaman also reiterated that, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already stated, the Army and the ground zero security agencies have been given the "freedom to respond".

Responding to a query on the unfortunate mid-air collision of Surya Kiran aircrafts at Yelahanka airbase on Tuesday, the defence minister insisted that she would comment only after she gets the court of inquiry report on the mishap.