New Delhi : The Congress Party on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of weakening the war against terrorism in wake of the NIA giving a clean chit to Pakistan in connection with the Pathankot air base attack and said the ruling dispensation was in the process demoralising the security forces, who lay down their lives for the country.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the BJP-led NDA regime has deliberately weakened the fight against terrorism, leaving the entire military establishment, security experts and 125 crore people of India deeply pained and anguished.
Taking potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not initiating decisive action against those responsible, Surjewala said, “You are weakening the war against terror. You are dishonoring the memory of those who have laid down their lives for this country.”
“You are demoralizing India’s security forces who lay down their lives against Pakistani terrorists and border incursions day in and day out. You are weakening the resolve of our civilians who fight to protect India’s borders sitting on India’s borders every day,” he added.
Surjewala said Pakistan has sponsored terrorism and terror activities against India for decades now.
“This is a fact that is well-known in International community as also with plausible evidence to India and evidence that various governments, including previous Congress government, has placed on records, shared with Pakistan and placed on records on international forums multiple times,” said Surjewala.
“Latest statements of Modi Government giving clean chit to Pakistan establishment, its ISI and military for Pathankot terror attack has deliberately weakened the fight against terror that India has waged both nationally and internationally for many decades now,” he added.
The Congress leader further said the international pressure that was put at India’s instance post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack now stands weakened by successive statements made by the government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership.
“First Modi ji went on an impromptu visit to Pakistan, to attend birthday and marriage celebrations. Net consequence was the loss of seven lives of our Army jawans and attack on Pathankot Air base. Modi ji then permitted a joint investigation team of Pakistanis led by the infamous ISI to visit Pathankot air base as also to visit India. After that, BJP president Shri Amit Shah said that please have faith in Pakistan,” said Surjewala.
“Despite the caution that Congress Party and other opposition parties as also security experts pointed out to government from time to time. The same JIT went back to Pakistan and instead of punishing Jaish-e-Mohammed, accused India and Indian Government,” he added.
Surjewala said NIA chief Shri Sharad Kumar’s preposterous statement and claim that Pakistan Government or its military establishment or ISI was not responsible in any way or involved with Jaish-e-Mohammed or Maulana Masood Azhar in the Pathankot terror attack is indeed shameful and has weakened the fight against terror.
The NIA Director General had earlier said that the investigation agency had not found any evidence to establish the involvement of Pakistan or Pakistani agencies in the attack on the air force base.
Four terrorists were killed when they carried out a suicide attack on the strategic Indian Air Force base in Pathankot during the intervening night of January 1-2. Seven security personnel were also killed during the 80-hour-long gun battle. (ANI)