Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the Indian armed forces operated with the precision of skilled surgeons during Operation Sindoor, targeting the roots of terrorism across the border with accuracy and discipline.
Addressing an event on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of KN Memorial Hospital, Singh said, “Our forces acted just like expert doctors or surgeons. A surgeon uses his instruments precisely where the disease lies, and the Indian forces have done the same
striking at the root of terrorism with unmatched precision.”
This was Singh’s first public appearance since the May 7 Indian military operation that struck several terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Drawing a comparison between the work of soldiers and doctors, Singh said both serve the nation in vital ways, protecting health, and safeguarding national security.
“Both undergo rigorous training, operate under intense pressure, and must take swift, critical decisions during emergencies. This similarity was seen during Operation Sindoor, just as the commitment of doctors was witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Referring to Pakistan’s response, Singh remarked, “As is its habit, Pakistan did not accept defeat easily and attempted retaliatory attacks on Indian soil. They targeted civilians and even places of worship, temples, gurdwaras, and churches. But our forces gave a fitting reply.”
He emphasised that during India’s counter-strikes, utmost care was taken to ensure only terrorist hideouts were hit, and no harm came to civilian areas.
“Our soldiers made sure that while punishing the perpetrators, innocent lives were not affected,” he said.
Singh said that when he accepted the invitation for the event last month, he wasn’t sure if he could attend due to the developing situation. “But with Operation Sindoor concluded successfully, I am here to express my gratitude and admiration both for our armed forces and for the spirit of the people.”
He added, “You (Doctors) treat patients, but we in the defence ministry, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, treat the disease of terrorism beyond our borders. And the success of Operation Sindoor is proof of that resolve.”
Singh also raised his concern on lifestyle diseases, saying today India is being called the “diabetes capital.”
“More than 10 crore people in India are suffering from diabetes and 14 crore people are on the verge of diabetes. We need to understand the need to control our lifestyle. There are many diseases which we can fight by adopting a balanced lifestyle. Doctors can do this work,” he said.
He said to make India a developed nation by 2047 everyone must adopt a good lifestyle.
He said the Centre’s Ayushman Scheme has benefitted over 80 crore with an expenditure of Rs 1.25 lakh crore gone into it.
“Due to the scheme, the expenditure incurred by people on their treatment from their pockets has come down from 62 per cent to 38 per cent today. Before 2014, there were only 387 medical colleges in the country, which increased to 780 in 2024,” he said.
Singh also lauded the Yogi Adityanath government, stating that it has done tremendous work after 2107 to strengthen health services in the state.
“Today I am happy to inform you that not only in Purvanchal (East), but in entire Uttar Pradesh, the number of children dying from Japanese encephalitis has now become negligible,” he said.
