Pakistan will use IMF money to fund terrorism, Says Rajnath Singh

On Friday, 16 May 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that "India's moves under Operation Sindoor were only a trailer, we will give the full show, if necessary."

He spoke sharply against the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) economic assistance to Pakistan, stating much of the help would directly or indirectly go towards financing terrorism.

Talking to military personnel at the Bhuj Air Force Station, Mr. Singh asked the morality of the IMF $1 billion bailout package, stating, "Surely, a significant portion of the IMF's $1 bn assistance will go towards financing the terror infrastructure. Won't this be indirect terror funding by the IMF, an international organization? Any economic aid to Pakistan is nothing short of terror funding.". India's contributions to the IMF should not be utilized, directly or indirectly, to develop terror infrastructure in Pakistan or anywhere else."

Mr. Singh pointed out Pakistan's attempts to reform terror networks previously smashed by India. He appealed to the IMF to review its economic assistance to Islamabad and not offer it in the future. Pakistan will utilize the tax it gathers from its people to provide approximately ₹14 crore to Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist organization chief, although he is a UN-designated terrorist," the Defence Minister stated. He added that the Pakistani government had also allocated funds to rebuild terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and JeM in Muridke and Bahawalpur.

Appreciating the Indian Air Force (IAF) for quickly eliminating terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 23 minutes in Operation Sindoor, Mr. Singh stated, "when the missiles were rained within enemy lines, the world listened to the reverberations of India's bravery and strength." He highlighted the way in which the IAF dominated but literally killed enemy forces. He described how India's fighter jets had the capability to strike any target in Pakistan without crossing the border.

"The world saw how IAF struck terror camps and subsequently Pakistan's airbases. The IAF presented the evidence that India's war policy and technology have transformed. They delivered the message of new India that we are not solely reliant on weapons and platforms sourced from overseas, but Made in India equipment are now a part of our military might. Indian-made weapons are also impenetrable," the Defence Minister further said.

In the context of BrahMos supersonic missile, Mr. Singh pointed to Pakistan's own recognition of the capability of the missile. "This Made in India missile illuminated Pakistan in the dark of the night," he said. He also praised India's air defence system, referring to the key role played by Akash missiles and other radar technologies of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

During his trip, Mr. Singh received personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), and other security agencies. There were briefings by top commanders on the security situation and readiness for operations.

The Bhuj sector has experienced repeated drone attacks during the four-day intense military engagement after India's precision attacks on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK on the night of May 6-7.

Lt. Gen. Dheeraj Seth, the commander of Southern Army, apprised the Defence Minister of the "exemplary role" being played by Indian Army and BSF deployed under the Bhuj-based Independent Infantry Brigade, an official of the Army said. "The visit brings out the synergy between all the security forces in ensuring the safety and security of strategic assets in the area," the official said.

Air Defence troops stationed close to Bhuj and Naliya have intercepted several enemy Pakistani drones in recent days, preventing them from hitting strategic military bases, the official added.