Talking to a TV channel, Indian Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the Indian government will explore all possible means, including the possibility of carrying out a “covert or a special operation”, against Dawood Ibrahim, the alleged 1993 Mumbai serial blasts “mastermind” who is believed by India to be living in Pakistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly said that Dawood does not live in Pakistan.
Asked on Aaj Tak’s Seedhi Baat programme as to why was a military operation not carried out against Dawood Ibrahim as was done in the case of Myanmar-based insurgents who had struck in Manipur, Rathore 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. It depends on the government if it is a covert operation or a special operation. A covert operation may never be discussed.”
He said India had not just prepared a dossier [for Pakistan] but was ready to use other options as well.
Soon after making his comments on the TV, he retracted tweeting that “incorrect versions” of his statements “allegedly on Dawood” had been attributed to him. The former army colonel also attached a link of the interview he gave to a TV news channel.