Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is believed to have told Prime Minister Narendra Modi there was no need to release the footage of Indian Army’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
According to reports, on October 1, Parrikar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were shown unedited footage of the operation, followed by a presentation of an edited version the next day.
After seeing the visuals, Parrikar conveyed to the PM that he was satisfied and there was no need to release the footage in the public domain.
“The opposition should understand the difference between a covert and overt strike. And it is not incumbent on the Indian army to release video footage every time they do their duty,” a senior official told Hindustan Times on terms of anonymity.
South Block also said that there was no need to rub Pakistan’s nose in the dirt after the successful surgical strike.
It should be recalled that the Indian Army yesterday gave its nod to the government to use the video footage of September 28 operation in PoK in any manner it sees fit to make the country’s case.
A debate raged in last few days over whether government should release evidence of the Army's surgical strikes across the LoC.
While BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has favoured putting out an edited version of the video on the action, the Congress and AAP have demanded full proof the operation to foil Pakistan claim that the strike never happened.
MoS for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir yesterday said that the footage has already been handed over to the Prime Minister's Office by the Army and any decision regarding the same rests with the PMO.
Asked if the government planned to share the video, he said, “No such decision has been taken yet, a call can only be taken by the Prime Minister.”
Officials from the Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said that there were no discussions on releasing the video. The officials did not specify if a final stand on the issue has been taken.
India has said a surgical strike was carried out during the night intervening September 28 and 29 to destroy terrorist launch pads across the LoC. But Pakistan has maintained that such attack took place.
Politicians including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam have demanded that the government release evidence of the strike.
The situation has been tense on the India-Pakistan border since the September 18 terror attack at an army camp in Uri town of Jammu and Kashmir which left 19 soldiers dead. India blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group for the attack.
