Cong assails govt over Nagrota terror strike

 A day after seven army personnel were killed in Nagrota terror assault, Congress today attacked the Modi government for its failure to strengthen country's security apparatus and asked why recommendations by various committees and experts have not been implemented.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said despite "loud talk" on national security, the country has lost 179 security personnel in the last 30 months and 101 in the past 15 months alone.

He said ever since surgical strikes were conducted on terror launch pads across the LoC in PoK, the country has lost 34 jawans and termed it as "shocking".

"In 30 months period, 179 jawans have lost their lives, while in last 15 months, 101 jawans lost their lives, 53 of them at military installations. After the surgical strikes, 34 jawans have lost their lives. Is this not shocking? Is this the security for which India must hold its head high with pride?

"This is a big question mark and we would have to ask the establishment if it has drawn lessons from the past - from Pathankot, from Uri and now Nagrota. This is the failure of the political establishment, for not doing all that has been suggested by various committees and by experts," he told reporters.

Singhvi said his party's and the country's concern is that in the name of national security there is so much of chest thumping "but the truth is different".

"(The issues of) National security cannot be resolved by speeches, jumlas (platitudes), talks or by running a campaign," he said, adding that Lt Gen Philip Campose headed a committee after the Pathankot terror attack which made certain recommendations which were never implemented.

"This is like playing with our jawans' and the country's security. How many Nagrotas and Pathankots will you wait for. It is a very serious issue," he said.

Senior party leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the terror strike on army camp at Nagrota in Jammu region.

"I pay my homage to the brave officers and soldiers who lost their lives in the attack. My heart goes out to their families. I pray that Almighty gives them strength to bear the irreparable loss," said Azad.

He also urged the Centre to take concrete steps to prevent such occurrence in future. He also expressed deep concern over the "increase in frequency" of such attacks and incidents of firing from across the border in the last few months.

Singhvi said it is the duty of Congress party to raise these issues, despite the ruling dispensation calling them anti-national, as a responsible opposition.

"A lot of time has passed and we would urge you to implement the recommendations made by various committees to strengthen the security apparatus. At least the country wants a reply on such 'jumlas'," he said.