Cong hits out at Modi govt, Pak on Pulwama attack

The Congress on Tuesday shed its velvet gloves in dealing with the Modi government on the Pulwama terror strike by questions lapses in handling intelligence inputs on the suicide attack on the CRPF convoy last week.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the party leaders had exercised restraint in their comments on Modi government's handling of the security situation in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, but wanted the security lapses to be plugged to ensure that there is no repeat of the terror strikes.

“Such huge security lapses including the ridiculous idea of moving 2,500 jawans in 78 vehicles at one go, allowing any civilian vehicle on road simultaneously, ignoring direct written intelligence reports on Jaish suicide attack since December 2018. Is this attention to detail by '56 inch chest' ”, Singhvi asked on Twitter.

The Congress also took a tough stand on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan demanding proof of terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad's involvement in the Pulwama attacks.

“Dear Imran Khan you have Jaish chief Masood Azhar sitting in Bahawalpur and masterminding the attacks with ISI help. Go pick him up from there. If you can’t let us know, we’ll do it for you,” Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said soon after the Pakistan prime minister issued a statement on the Pulwama terror attack.

“It is time to walk the talk,” Amarinder told Khan plainly and demanded to know what Pakistan had done about the evidence India had given them on the involvement of Pak-based terror outfits in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said that it was unfortunate and regrettable that the Pakistan Prime Minister was speaking the language of Jaish-e-Muhammad and reminded him how the then prime minister Indira Gandhi had worked for the Independence of Bangladesh.

“Do not forget how Indira Gandhi and the armed forces had in 1971 divided Pakistan into two and helped Bangladesh gain Independence and ensured the surrender of 91,000 soldiers before the Indian Army,” Surjewala said.

A day after the Pulwama attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had declared that party leaders would not criticise the government for the next few days and would support its action to contain terrorism.