Political parties need to stand united to fight terrorism: Azad

JAMMU: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said parties need to rise above their political interests and work unitedly to eliminate the menace of terrorism which has “swallowed a generation of youth” in the Kashmir Valley.

He said peace talks between India and Pakistan cannot be held now in view of the heightened tension between the two neighbours, although nobody is in favour of war as “our Government has made it clear that the IAF strike inside Pakistan was not aimed at the country, its civilians or military installations but at terrorist camps.”

“Our stand from day one is that the Congress is against terrorism and wants its elimination. We will support whatever steps our security forces will take in this direction,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha told reporters here.

Welcoming the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to India after being released by Pakistan, Azad said, “Peace talks cannot be held this time but appropriate steps need to be taken to avoid war between India and Pakistan.” (AGENCIES)