NEW DELHI, Oct 8:
Congress and SP today slammed the Narendra Modi Government over ceasefire violations by Pakistan, even as BJP took a tough stance saying the Indian forces are capable of giving a “befitting reply” to that country, which has become ‘Aatankistan’ (hub of terrorism).
“Pakistan is not the same Pakistan now. It has become Shaitanistan (place of devil). It has become Aatankistan. Our forces know how to handle such Shaitanistan and Aatankistan and are giving it a befitting reply,” BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli also lambasted Pakistan saying that country has decided “not to desist from its regular approach”.
“Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has told the country that our armed forces and BSF are capable of handling the situation and giving a befitting reply,” Kohli said, adding that no tough stance was taken against Pakistan when such violations occurred during previous regimes.
“This time I am sure they will realise that Indian Armed Forces and our country will send a strong message to them so that they desist from doing it again,” he added.
Criticising the Modi Government, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi rued that the Government’s response is “found wanting.”
“Pakistan gives us a challenge on a regular basis, plays with our honour and damages our lives and properties and we are not being able to do anything. We only give statistics.
“The honourable Prime Minister, who talked with such vigour about nationalism does not come out with a single line statement on it. He did not tell the nation what concrete steps are taken to bring an end to it. This is a matter of big shame,” he said.
Samajwadi Party general secretary Naresh Agrawal also took a swipe at Modi and BJP.
“Those whom we considered strong turned out to be weak. Those whom we gave full power, failed to utilise it. We are not able to counter the manner in which a small country like Pakistan is threatening India and engaged in regular firing in our territory.
“We are behaving like cowards and are only giving false threats. Nobody expected this from the Government. The Government has disappointed the nation. Had there been the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav in the country, Pakistan would have been given a befitting reply,” Agrawal said.
The reactions came on a day when a woman was killed and 11 persons injured as Pakistani troops targeted 50 security outposts and three dozen hamlets with heavy mortar shelling and firing overnight along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
Extending the ceasefire violations to new areas, Pakistan Rangers shelled border outposts (BoPs) and villages in Samba and Kathua along with Jammu during the night and the firing was continuing till this morning.
So far seven persons have been killed and nearly 70 injured in the escalation since October 1 with over 16,000 people migrating to safer areas in these districts. (PTI)
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