All major parties cutting across political lines stood together on Thursday to express support to the Government on the surgical strikes conducted by it on terror training camps in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). But Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti sang a different tune. She voiced grave concern over the escalation of situation along the borders and warned that confrontation could lead to a “disaster of epic proportions” for the State.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh convened all-party meeting in North Block at 4 pm with the available leaders in Delhi. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Ranbir Singh briefed the political leaders about the ‘surgical strikes’. After the hour-long meeting, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu said all political parties unanimously supported the Army’s action.
“The Home Minister explained the all-party meeting about the surgical strikes carried out by the Army to foil attempts by terrorists to carry out attack not only in Jammu & Kashmir but some other important towns,” he told reporters.
The Minister said representatives of the Congress, the NCP, the CPI(M), the BSP, the Shiv Sena, the lJSP and the TDP complimented the Indian Army and assured the Government of their support. Those who attended the meeting include BJP president Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), Satish Chandra Mishra (BSP) and Ram Vilas Paswan (lJSP).
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar besides Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Naidu attended the meeting.
Calling for restraint and de-escalation of the “war-like situation”, Mehbooba said India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders.
“We in J&K have suffered immensely because of the violence and know very well its dangers and consequences. For the people of Jammu & Kashmir, peace along the borders and within the mainland is of immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries would also treat it with the same spirit,” she said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described India’s “surgical strikes” on terror launch pads across loC as one which Rsall were waiting for’. “What we all were waiting for has now happened,” he said at a function to commemorate the 1,000th birth anniversary of Kashmir’s philosopher Acharya Abhinavagupta here.
Bhagwat lauded the role of all who participated in the operation that destroyed terror camps across the loC in PoK. “On all our behalf..., all those who were required to be complimented have been lauded. I repeat the compliments,” he said after Art of living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar congratulated the Defence forces for the surgical strikes.
Sangh’s head of communications department Manmohan Vaidya said, “RSS wholeheartedly congratulates Indian Army.” “By conducting successful surgical strikes on terrorists launching pads in PoK, Indian Army has proved its capability. Congratulations, Indian Army.
“Keeping aside our internal differences, the entire country is in support of the Indian government in any such action,” Vaidya said in a message.
Soon after the official announcement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said a “strong message” has been sent with the surgical strikes by Army against terror bases across the loC and insisted that Pakistan bears a “great responsibility” in the continuing cross-border attacks in India.
Offering the party’s support to the Government in the battle against terror, Gandhi said in a statement that “this is a strong message that conveys our country’s resolve to prevent further infiltration and attacks on our security forces and our people”.
“The party hopes that Pakistan will recognise that it bears a great responsibility in the continuing cross-border terrorist attacks against India,” she said. Congratulating the armed forces on the success of the operation, she said the party stands by the Government in its actions to protect the country’s security and deal with the menace of terrorism from across the border.
Hailing the Army for its valour and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, BJP president Amit Shah said this indicates a rise of “new India” as for the first time a clear response has been given to terrorists by targeting their “breeding centres”.
“Army has launched a successful surgical strike and damaged terrorists in a big way without suffering any casualty. This is a proof of our Army’s bravery, capacity and patriotism. In this long war against terrorism a clear response has been given to terrorists by destroying their breeding centre for the first time,” he said, congratulating Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
lauding Modi for taking steps to defeat terrorists, Shah said every Indian today feels safe in the fight against terrorism under his leadership. “It is for the first time, in this frontal fight against terrorism, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi is feeling secure,” he added.