Pakistan can't fight full-fledged, limited war with India: Rajnath

Lauding the soldiers who died in the Kargil conflict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said their heroic acts in all the wars with Pakistan have made him confident that Islamabad can neither engage in "full-fledged nor limited war with India. It can only fight proxy war".

Speaking on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Kargil war, the Minister told the Lok Sabha that the country will never forget the soldiers who showed exemplary courage and valour in the conflict and sacrificed their lives to save the country's dignity.

"We have completed 20 years of Kargil Vijay Divas. I pay my tribute to the grit, valour and sacrifice of the soldiers of the Indian Army on the occasion.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned, it engaged in war with India in 1965, 1971 and 1999. After witnessing the heroic acts of our soldiers in these wars, I can say it with confidence that Pakistan can neither engage in a full-fledged nor limited war with India. It can only fight a proxy war," Singh said.

Earlier, the Minister paid homage to the soldiers at the National War Memorial here and tweeted that their unwavering courage and supreme sacrifice ensured the safety and sanctity of the country's borders.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also paid tribute to the soldiers killed in the Kargil conflict: "The war reminds us about the courage of our brave soldiers who defeated the soldiers and infiltrator of our neighouring country.

"I pray for those soldiers on behalf of the House. Kargil War continued for seven days and concluded on July 26. The occasion is celebrated as the symbol the bravery of our soldiers," he said.

Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also paid tribute to the soldiers.

He urged the Speaker to arrange a discussion on the Kargil war in which he said around two lakh soldiers of the Indian Army fought legendary battles in Drass, Kaksar, Batalik and Turtok sectors. IANS