Congress slams Modi, Sena seeks action

Hindu Sena activists burn an effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New Delhi on Saturday during a protest against the Pathankot attack. — Biplab Banerjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “enemies of humanity who can’t see India progress attacked Pathankot. I want to assure our countrymen that our armed forces have the strength to defeat the evil designs of our enemy.” The terror attack sparked a fresh round of political slugfest with the Congress questioning the Modi government’s handling of Pakistan affairs and the BJP hitting back, accusing it of trying to “politicise” the incident while ally Shiv Sena sought a befitting response.

In Mysuru, Mr Modi said, “Today, enemies of humanity who can’t see India progress tried to strike at our strategic area, a prominent airbase at Pathankot. I appreciate our armed forces and thank them for foiling our enemy’s attempt.” “Our security forces did not let them succeed,” he added.

Targeting the government, the Opposition parties came together to blame the BJP with the Congress saying that as the attack came a week after the PM visited Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif it shows that the ISI continues to sustain and support terror activities against India.

The main Opposition also reminded Mr Modi of his promise to assertively handle ties with the neighbouring country. Accusing the Modi government of flip-flops in its Pak policy, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “It’s indeed a very serious matter as seven days after Modi visited Pakistan to meet Mr Sharif, a terrorist module comes from Pakistan and attacks in Punjab and attacks our frontline security installation. Two things are very clear. First, despite the PM’s visit, ISI continues to sustain and support terror activities against India. Secondly the terror camps run by terrorists in PoK for carrying out anti-India activities continue to be supported by Pakistan. It raises security concerns for Punjab as the state is witnessing a sudden surge in such activities after being peaceful for the last 20 years.” Hitting back, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said it was condemnable” that the Congress was “politicising” the terror attack.

The Shiv Sena, meanwhile, demanded retaliation against the neighbouring country in a similar manner and asked the government to snap all ties with Pakistan.

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said the attack was the first major challenge to Mr Modi’s Pak policy and the BJP will have to move beyond its stand on talks and terror to insulate the dialogue process.

The CPI urged both India and Pakistan not to fall into the “trap of provocation” by terror outfits by derailing peace talks between them due to the attack which it condemned.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said Pakistan government should “control” terror activities, asserting that those who have carried out the attack came from across the border.

“These people come from across the border. It is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to control them (militants) so that such things (terror attack) do not occur,” Mr Badal said.

“While the whole country is standing with our brave soldiers, the Congress is singing a different tune. It is trying to politicise the issue. It is unfortunate and we condemn it,” he said.

The BJP reacted cautiously on the attack’s possible impact on the Indo-Pak talks, saying “a right decision will be taken at the right time”.

“We congratulate our armed forces that they were able to thwart it with their wisdom and valour. India is capable of giving a befitting reply to any terror attack,” BJP secretary and media department head Shrikant Sharma said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India wanted good relations with the neighbouring country but if there is any terror attack on India, a befitting reply will be given.

Taking a swipe at the government, the Shiv Sena said the public is waiting for a response in the similar language and wondered “where is that language, that action ”

The party leader Sanjay Raut said, “If our Air base is attacked by terrorists from Pakistan, the responsibility is with Pakistan, but they (terrorists) get shelter there, they get support from across the border...”

“Whenever there is an attack on us, there is no need to say who is behind it. We can say with eyes closed that attackers are from Pakistan,” Mr Raut said noting that the attack took place after the PM’s unscheduled stopover in Lahore last week.

“We don’t want to play politics but its a fact that bilateral peace talks and terror attacks are taking place simultaneously. This won’t do. Peace talks and terror cannot go together and this has been Sena’s stance from the beginning.” he said.