A political slugfest has erupted over Pakistan’s Joint Investigation Team (JIT) visit to Pathankot to investigate into the recent airbase attack. Principal opposition Congress has questioned Modi government’s handling of Pakistan affairs.
Targeting the government, Congress said the attack came a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and this showed that ISI continues to sustain and support terror activities against India.
Accusing the Modi government of flip-flops in its Pak policy the Congress said: “While on the one hand the government has asserted that terror and talks cannot go together, on the other Modi has met Sharif and preparations are underway for resumption of comprehensive dialogue”.
“It’s indeed a very serious matter as seven days after Modi visited Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharif, a terrorist module comes from Pakistan and attacks in Punjab and attacks our frontline security installation. 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,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Meanwhile, 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”.
However, Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said that it was “condemnable” that Congress was “politicising” the terror attack. “While the whole country is standing with our brave soldiers, Congress is singing a different tune. It is trying to politicise the issue. It is unfortunate and we condemn it,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the government, Shiv Sena sought a befitting response. 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...”
Earlier on Monday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar made it clear that Pakistan’s probe team will not be allowed to go anywhere near the airbase.