'Nation has the right to know exactly what happened at Balakot'

Kolkata: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of seeking political mileage over the air strike carried out by the Indian Air Force in Balakot, stressing on the fact that the Centre is yet to divulge the truth about the terrorists allegedly killed in the strike.

"The people of India have a right to know what exactly happened during the air strike. The Centre must allow our forces to speak the truth. They should also come clean on the number of terrorists claimed to have been killed during the air strike," Banerjee maintained. Earlier on Thursday, in a tweet on IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who has been captured by Pakistani forces, she said: "Along with his family members and all our countrymen, we are anxiously waiting for the safe return of our pilot #Abhinandhan"

While speaking to the media at Nabanna, the Chief Minister hit out at the Modi government, saying: "Ahead of the forthcoming elections, the Centre is keen on deriving political mileage from the air strike that has been conducted by our Air Force. The jawans defend our borders and we all hold them in high esteem. But politicising the whole issue only to satisfy one's political interest is condemnable."