‘Coward’ Pak uses terror for proxy war: Rajnath Singh

Union home minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan has been carrying out a proxy war against India by sending terrorists from across the border.

“The neighbouring country has been carrying out a proxy war. But terrorism is not a weapon of the brave but that of cowards. Those who fight from behind are called cowards. They take the help of terrorism,” Mr Singh said at an event to mark the raising day of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a paramilitary force raised in 1962 after the war with China. The home ministry also announced a new military honour called the “high altitude medal” for border forces deployed above 9,000 feet to recognise their services in a harsh environment.

In a reference to the current hostilities between the two countries, Mr Singh said the neighbour was trying to break and destabilise India by resorting to terrorism. He said an “evil eye” has been cast on India to stall its progress as it was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Tension has been rising on the border after the Indian Army launched a raid in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to destroy terrorist training camps. Before that, terrorists had struck an army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 Indian soldiers.

“Our soldiers are responding to them (Pakistan) in a befitting manner,” Mr Singh said.

He said the ITBP’s actions have led to 60 per cent fall in transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army of China.

Forces such as the ITBP, which primarily guards the border with China, is usually deployed in high-altitude regions.

“We got to know that there were some difficulties in awarding high-altitude medals to the personnel working at border outposts located above 9,000 feet. So we have decided that now all jawans and officers who work at this height and above... will be awarded,” Mr Singh said.

Recently, the government had raised financial aid to families of paramilitary personnel killed on duty.