Rajyavardhan Rathore hints at covert operation to nab Dawood Ibrahim

New Delhi: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore on Sunday said that India will explore every possible means, including a covert operation to nab underworld don and Mumbai serial blasts accused Dawood Ibrahim or to neutralize Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.

In an interview to a news channel, Rathore said, “All means — saam, daam, dand, bhed (all options from force to stealth) would be used to counter India's enemies.”

“We always remain ready to neutralise our enemy. Wherever the enemy of India is, he should not think that India is not thinking anything about him," Rathore added.

On being asked why India has not launched military operation against Dawood Ibrahim like it did in the case of Myanmar-based insurgents who had attacked in Manipur, the MoS said, “It is possible that an operation is launched. But it will not be talked about before it is launched. It might be talked about later. This depends on whether the government decides to carry out a covert operation or a special operation.”

"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," the minister added.

The Union Minister further clarified that the government would not keep exchanging dossiers with Pakistan on Dawood.

"This government is committed to doing what it takes to act against India's enemies," he said.

On the issue of failed talks with Pakistan, the Minister said, “The Indian government has taken a clear stand. We will talk on terror first. Only after that will we address other issues. Terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.”

Rathore, however, later clarified that he is being misquoted in media reports, "Incorrect vers of my stmnts allegedly on Dawood attributed to me (sic)," Mr Rathore tweeted this morning. He also attacked a link to his interview and said he had spoken about "dossier diplomacy."