New Delhi [India]: Condemning the militant attack near a paramilitary camp in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Janata Dal (United) on Thursday alleged that Pakistan is sponsoring the use of terrorism as a state policy against India.
“We don’t need local leaders or evidence that we may find coming from Pakistan, we established the fact that the Pakistan state and government are directly and verifiably sponsoring the use of terrorism as a state policy against India. For this, there is enough credible evidence that is available to the global community. Pakistan is aware of this,” JD (U) leader Pawan Varma told ANI.
“So, I think for us to reiterate the obvious is not necessary, what we need to do in response to that is important,” he added.
Verma said there have been several cross border infiltrations by the terrorists post the September 29 surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), adding the most worrying part is that the target of their attack is the Indian army bases.
“I have said before and I want to repeat, this is the time for maximum vigilance. We need to upgrade the army’s requirements in terms of military equipment and other hardware, also upgrade our intelligence, secure better the parameters of our armed bases and take every other action to foil such attacks,” said Verma.
“That is important, rather than as the Prime Minister has rightly said ‘chest thumping’. I think the Defence Minister in particular should start getting busy looking into these matters rather than making speeches for audiences which have nothing to do with defence,” he added.
Talking about the ongoing politics over the surgical strikes, Verma said the prerogative to release more information in this regard lies entirely with the government.
“When the government feels appropriate, keeping all circumstances in mind, including that of national security, it may release more information. There is no immediate pressure from our point of view on the government to do so,” he added.
Attempting to bring the opposition parties on board on the issue, the JD (U) leader further said the action against terrorism emanating from Pakistan has been taken by the Indian Government and not by the BJP.
“I have never seen a matter of national importance undertaken by a national government being reduced to such petty politics by irresponsible BJP leaders. It is they who have made it a subject of political partisanship by postulating the absurd hypothesis that anyone, in any manner questions the government, that person is anti-national,” said Verma.
“This is not the tradition, either of Indian democracy or of Indian intellectual thought. The BJP must introspect,” he added.
Security forces engaged militants near an Army camp at Langate in Handwara early on Thursday morning after they opened fire at the camp.
The militants, who were in army combat uniform, opened fire at around 5 a.m. for over 20 minutes before fleeing the spot.
The army foiled three infiltration bids at the LoC and killed the terrorists in a gunfight. Two army jawans have reportedly been injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported so far.
Massive search operations are going on.
This is the third terror attack this month. Today’s attack comes just four days after the terrorists attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) and adjoining camps in Baramulla district.
Last week, India conducted surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC. (ANI)