No ‘misadventure’ in Sir Creek, Pak warned

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday warned Pakistan of a strong reply if it resorted to any "misadventure" in the disputed Sir Creek sector along the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat. The minister was addressing troops on Dasehra at the Bhuj military station in Gujarat.

Rajnath also performed the ceremonial ‘shastra puja’ (worship of weapons) at the military station. The air defence gun — L-70 — that did a commendable job during the recent Operation Sindoor with Pakistan was among the weapons at the ceremony.

On the issue of the Sir Creek sector, the minister said, “Pakistan’s recent expansion of military infrastructure in the sector reflects its ill intent.”

"Any misadventure by Pakistan in the Sir Creek sector will invite a decisive response... If Pakistan dares to act in the sector, the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography,” he said.

In 1965, the Army showed courage by reaching Lahore, and in 2025, Pakistan must remember that the road to Karachi also passes through the creek, the minister added.

India and Pakistan have an undemarcated boundary, with Sir Creek, a 96-km tidal estuary, dividing Gujarat and the Pakistani state of Sindh. Its demarcation will decide potential oil and gas reserves by defining the maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones in the Arabian Sea.

Rajnath also virtually inaugurated the Tidal Independent Berthing Facility and the Joint Control Centre in the sector. The facilities will act as major enablers for integrated coastal operations while significantly enhancing joint operational capability, coastal security coordination and rapid response to any threats, the minister said.

On Operation Sindoor, Rajnath said it exposed Pakistan’s air defence system. Pakistan had tried to penetrate India’s defences from Leh to the Sir Creek sector, but the swift and effective counteraction by the Indian forces not only exposed the weaknesses of Pakistan’s air defence system but also sent out a clear message to the world that India could inflict heavy damage at a time, place and manner of its choosing, he said.

Operation Sindoor was aimed at countering terrorism, not provoking a wider conflict, he said while expressing satisfaction that all military objectives of Operation Sindoor were successfully achieved. Rajnath reaffirmed that India’s fight against terrorism would continue with full resolve.

On the ‘shastra puja’, the minister said it was not merely a ritual but a reflection of India’s civilisational philosophy, where weapons are regarded as instruments of dharma, not just tools of violence.