Pak state-sponsored terror is cowardice: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday said Pakistan Army Chief Gen Bajwa’s act of promoting state-sponsored terror through the killing of Indian soldiers and innocent citizens was an act of cowardice.

“As a former soldier, I see no justification in killing soldiers through snippers. It’s an act of cowardice, not of army personnel,” Capt said while speaking at foundation stone laying event in Punjab’s Gurdaspur on Monday in the presence of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

Capt’s tirade from stage followed day after he declined to visit Pakistan on Wednesday for a similar foundation stone laying ceremony across the border citing state-sponsored terror and killing of Indian soldiers.

Regardless of Capt’s fiery attack on Pak Army chief on Monday, his cabinet colleague and former cricket Navjot Singh Sidhu, who on Monday called Pakistan PM Imran Khan an ‘angel,’ will be visiting Pakistan on Wednesday for the ceremony. "It's his own decision," Capt said.

Capt said only the Army, which controls the ISI, runs the government in Pakistan. Capt called for the immediate removal of General Bajwa and said the Pak army should learn the message of love and brotherhood, propounded by Sri Guru Nanak Dev.

He vowed to protect his state from the terror unleashed from across the border till the last drop of his blood, warning Pakistan of serious consequences if it did not put a stop on the violence perpetrated against India. Even as he thanked Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan for reciprocating India’s move on developing the Kartarpur Corridor, the chief minister urged the Pak PM to rein in his army.

Describing terror as madness, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said he fully endorsed Captain Amarinder’s views and vowed that India will not allow its people to be killed. “While India wants peace and promotes friendship, it will not allow terrorism to breed on its soil”, he said.