If needed, forces will strike inside Pakistan too: Amit Shah

‘India has responded firmly whenever challenged’

Jammu Tawi, May 22: Reaffirming India’s zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that if the need arises armed forces will act even inside Pakistan’s own territory.

Addressing the Rustamji Memorial Lecture organised in honour of Border Security Force (BSF) founding director K F Rustamji, Shah referred to cross-border terrorism and infiltration and said, “India has responded firmly whenever challenged. We replied to Pakistan all three times and, if required, we will act even inside their territory.”

He said India will soon implement a complete “smart border” system along its frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh to strengthen surveillance and curb infiltration, drone activity and smuggling through technology-driven monitoring mechanisms.

He said the government was rapidly expanding modern border infrastructure equipped with high-tech cameras, radars, sensors and real-time surveillance platforms.

The Union Home Minister said the Centre plans to roll out large-scale smart fencing and Integrated Border Management Systems along the two international borders within this year.

“The entire border management system is being upgraded with the help of technology. Advanced surveillance tools and real-time monitoring systems will strengthen the country’s border security,” Shah said.

The Union Home Minister said the new system will help security agencies detect infiltration attempts, drone movement, cattle smuggling, narcotics trafficking and other suspicious activities instantly.

He said land allocation for the smart fencing projects was progressing quickly and added that the West Bengal government had provided the required land for the initiative.

Shah said security personnel would receive real-time alerts under the proposed mechanism, allowing faster response and improved coordination on border-related threats.

Speaking on Left Wing Extremism, Shah said India was moving rapidly towards becoming free from Naxal violence, asserting that the government’s strategy had produced decisive results on the ground.

“A problem that persisted for decades is nearing its end. Merely controlling a problem is not enough; eliminating it from the root is the real solution,” he said.

The Home Minister also said the BSF would be assigned greater responsibilities in the coming years, particularly in coordination with local administrations to check illegal cross-border activities.

He said coordination mechanisms would be strengthened from patwari-level offices to district administrations, especially along the India-Bangladesh border.

According to Shah, the BSF’s role would not remain limited to stopping or pushing back infiltrators, but would also focus on preventing illegal entry attempts through stronger intelligence and administrative coordination.

He added that the Centre and border states were working together to strengthen border security infrastructure and ensure smooth implementation of fencing and surveillance projects.

India, Cyprus condemn Pahalgam attack

Seek global action on cross-border terror

Srinagar, May 22: Condemning the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists dead, India and Cyprus on Friday called for stronger global action against cross-border terrorism and demanded accountability for terror networks.

The position was articulated during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, as the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains.

Briefing the media, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George said both leaders “categorically and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism” and reaffirmed commitment to joint efforts against radicalisation and terror financing.

He said Cyprus extended “solidarity and unwavering support” to India in its fight against terrorism, particularly in the context of recent incidents, including the Pahalgam attack and the blast near the Red Fort.

The two sides also stressed the need for perpetrators of such attacks to be brought to justice without delay, and underlined that fragmented global responses were insufficient to address evolving terror threats.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that both leaders called for strengthening international mechanisms to counter terrorism in a “comprehensive and sustained manner” and pushed for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the United Nations framework.

India and Cyprus also agreed that state-backed and cross-border terror networks required coordinated global pressure, including disruption of financing channels and logistical support systems.

As part of institutional cooperation, the two countries agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to enhance coordination on intelligence sharing, counter-radicalisation efforts and security capacity building.

Prime Minister Modi, during the discussions, also outlined broader security cooperation including cyber security, maritime domain awareness and emerging technology-based defence systems.

The talks formed part of a wider strategic shift in bilateral relations, with both sides agreeing to expand engagement across defence, infrastructure and digital sectors. Cyprus also reiterated its support for India’s position on global governance reforms, including its bid for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council.

President Christodoulides, on his part, said global governance structures must reflect current geopolitical realities and stressed deeper cooperation with India in addressing shared security challenges.

The visit also included discussions on investment, migration mobility frameworks and trade cooperation, with both sides noting steady growth in economic ties.

However, officials said counter-terrorism remained a central pillar of the renewed partnership, with both New Delhi and Nicosia describing terrorism as a shared global threat requiring urgent and coordinated international action.