Is T'gana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Ready to Return to Combat?

Synopsis
Uttam Kumar Reddy, Telangana’s Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister, reflects on his experience as a fighter pilot and expresses his willingness to return to combat for India. In light of recent tensions in Kashmir, he emphasizes the need for decisive action against threats and unity within the nation.
Key Takeaways
- N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is a former fighter pilot ready to engage in combat if needed.
- The Kashmir conflict requires decisive action from India.
- He emphasizes the importance of national unity in condemning violence.
- Operation Sindoor highlights India's stance against terrorism.
- His military background underscores his expertise in national security matters.
Hyderabad, May 9 (NationPress) Telangana’s Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, a former Indian Air Force fighter pilot who flew MiG-23s, expressed his readiness to return to combat should the nation require the support of the reserved forces. He emphasized that the Kashmir conflict will not genuinely resolve until India reclaims Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
During a press interaction at the Congress headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan, he remarked that the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam left India with no option but to retaliate. He cautioned that any persistent aggression from across the border could lead to severe consequences for Pakistan, stating, “No other nation is going to step in with military support.”
The Congress leader asserted that he would engage in combat again if full-scale conflict emerged and his skills were needed.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that India had ample justification to target terror strongholds in Pakistan following the assault by The Resistance Front, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, in Pahalgam.
He noted that the entire nation, including Jammu and Kashmir, united in denouncing violence committed in the name of religion.
On Operation Sindoor, he remarked that such decisive actions are essential for India to attain a sustainable resolution regarding the Kashmir situation.
Uttam Kumar Reddy reminisced about joining the armed forces at the young age of 16. By 1982, he was piloting MiG-21s and later transitioned to the MiG-23, a jet capable of exceeding twice the speed of sound.
“I was just 20, already a fighter pilot,” he reflected, recalling his assignments in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Srinagar, and Amritsar, areas historically significant to national security.