With India finally receiving the first unit of Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale fighter jet from France, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General Asif Ghafoor has defended Indian defence minister’s “weapon worship”, but also trolled the neighbours for their incompetence.
The French-made aircraft was acquired by the IAF at a handover ceremony in Merignac where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed “shastra pooja” on Rafale.
The act was severely criticised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BRP) rival Indian National Congress (INC) as opposition leaders questioned the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led government for “saffronising” the handover.
With Pakistani Twitterati also taking to the microblogging site to call out their neighbours over Singh’s move, the ISPR chief has said that there was nothing wrong in it.
“Nothing wrong in #RafalePuja as it goes by the religion and that must be respected [sic],” Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor wrote.
He, however, also trolled Indians over their incompetence in words that appeared to be hinting at the aerial standoff between airforces of the two countries from earlier this year.
“Please remember… it’s not the machine alone which matters but competence, passion & resolve of the men handling that machine. Proud of our PAF [Pakistan Air Force] Shaheens. #PAFtheMenAtTheirBest [sic].”
