Congress: Modi govt incapable of protecting borders

New Delhi: As four soldiers were killed by Pakistan troops along the border, the Congress on Sunday flagged the rising instances of infiltration of terrorists since 2014 saying the Modi government appeared incapable of protecting borders.

The main opposition party also reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the promise of "muscular" national security policy made by the BJP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections which was no where to be seen.

"Between June and December 2014 there were 583 instances of infiltration, in 2015, there were 400 infiltration bids, in 2016 the number was 460, while from January 1, 2017 till December 24, 2017 there have been 900 attempts of infiltration - 780 along the Line of Control and 120 along the international border," senior Congress leader Manish Tewari told reporters here.

His remarks come against the backdrop of reports of four soldiers killed in firing by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

"The BJP spoke of muscular national security. At a time when national security is under attack, the government seems incapable of protecting our borders," Tewari said.

The Congress leader also wanted the Modi government to spell out its policy towards Pakistan and hit out at the BJP for what he termed as faulty policies to deal with the country's neighbours. "The government's Pakistan policy is marked by somersaults, U-turns and adhocism.

"The influence of China is growing in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Maldives has signed a Free Trade Agreement with China without informing India. In Doklam, China has built permanent structures. All this points towards wrong policies for the neighbourhood," the former minister said.

DH News Service