Union Minister tweets clarification on ‘covert ops’ to nab Dawood, Hafiz Saeed
New Delhi: Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Monday clarified on Twitter that an “incorrect” version of his statement has been quoted from his interview on "covert operations" to nab top terrorists Dawood Ibrahim and Hafiz Saeed.
"Incorrect vers of my stmnts allegedly on Dawood attributed to me (sic)," the Union Minister tweeted Monday morning. He also attached a link to his original interview in his tweet, saying that he had spoken on "dossier diplomacy".
. @rahulkanwal,@IndiaTodayFLASH Incorrect vers of my stmnts allegedly on Dawood attributed to me. Here's What I said:https://t.co/HsniWhmq5H
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 6, 2015Rajyavardhan Rathore on Sunday was quoted saying that the government would explore every possible means, including a covert or a special operation, to neutralize Dawood Ibrahim and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
"We always remain ready to neutralise our enemy," he said when asked what the government was doing about Dawood Ibrahim, the main accused in 1993 Mumbai blasts, and Saeed, who are wanted in India. "Wherever the enemy of India is, he should not think that India is not thinking anything about him," Rathore said in 'Seedhi Baat' programme on Aaj Tak when it was noted that fugitives like Dawood and Saeed are living peacefully in Pakistan.
It was pointed out to him that 15 months of Modi government have passed but nothing had been done with regard to fugitives taking shelter in Pakistan, except for preparing a dossier.
To this, he replied, "saam, daam, dand, beid (all means will be used). Besides dossier, and other means also will be used. Whenever it happens, you will get the news."
Asked whether there could be any covert operation, the minister who was formerly a Colonel in the Army, said, "We may do it but there will be no publicity before that. After the operation, there may be or there may not be. It depends on whether the government says it should be 'covert operation' or a 'special operation'.
He said a covert operation may never be known but information about a special operation may be given after it is done.
"A special operation is made public after it is done. It depends on the government as to when to do it.... Who knows it may be happening now or not happening now but it will be made public only after it is done," Rathore had said.
