Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today used tough words as he spoke on the Pathankot terror attack during an address to army officers, warning that those “who have harmed us will also feel the pain.”

“This should not be taken as government thinking. I always believe anyone who harms you, he understands the same language. The time and place should be of our choosing,” Mr Parrikar said at a seminar to mark the 68th Army Day.

“If someone is harming this country, I think that particular individual or organisation, I have purposely used the word individual or organization, should also receive similar pain. Until the pain can be transmitted, he will always enjoy giving pain to us,” he commented.

Asked to clarify his remarks, Mr Parrikar told reporters later: “History tells you that those who damage you, if they don’t realize what pain they inflict, then they don’t change.”

Seven military personnel were martyred and another 20 injured when six terrorists crossed the border and launched a massive assault on the air force base in Punjab’s Pathankot in the early hours of January 2.

India says the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed orchestrated the attack, which came just a week after PM Modi made an unscheduled visit to Lahore and met Nawaz Sharif.

New Delhi has asked Pakistan for prompt and urgent action on those behind the attack, and has handed over evidence that includes intercepts of phone calls made by the terrorists to their handlers in Pakistan. Ammunition and other equipment recovered from them after they were killed were made in Pakistan.