New Delhi, Feb 14: A day after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi issued a controversial remark linking Sunjuwan terror attack martyrs with religion, the Army on Wednesday criticised those communalising the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers.
Speaking at press conference, Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu, GOC Northern Command, without taking Owaisi’s name, said those who make such statements perhaps don’t know about the Army. “We don’t communalise martyrs, those making statements don’t know the Army well,” he said.
Raising concerns over young men turning to terrorism, the top Army commander said identifying the terror leadership and eliminating them continues to be on top of the force’s agenda as far as tacking the menace of terrorism is concerned.
“The enemy is frustrated and is trying to strike softer targets, when they fail at borders they attack on camps. Yes, youth joining terror groups is a concern, we need to address this trend. In 2017, we focused on leadership and eliminated it,” Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu said.
“All three groups – Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) or Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are hands in glove whether it is in the Valley or elsewhere. There’s no differentiation, they keep jumping from one Tanzim to other. Anyone who picks up an arm and is against the state, is a terrorist and we’ll deal with him,” he added.
What Asaduddin Owaisi Said
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had on Tuesday (February 13) slammed those who question the patriotism of Muslims as he referred to five Armymen from Kashmir who laid down their lives fighting Pakistani terrorists at Sunjuwan in Jammu. (Also Read: J&K Terror Attacks: Mehbooba Wants Talks With Pakistan, Farooq Abdullah Says Tough Measures Needed)
The Hyderabad MP also attacked the Modi government for “not learning lessons” from terror attacks on army installations in the past.
“The so-called “9 pm” nationalists (those who appear in prime time tv debates) question the nationalism of Muslims and Kashmiri Muslims,” Owaisi said in Hyderabad.
“In this (Sunjuwan attack) incident, five Kashmiri Muslims have laid down their lives. Why aren’t you talking about it? This is a reminder to all those nationalists who question my integrity and the love for this country,” the AIMIM chief said. (Also Read: Pakistan Provokes Yet Again, Says Will Pay Back India in ‘Its Own Coin’)
“This (terror attack) is not the first incident which has happened in Sunjuwan. Earlier, in 2003, terrorists had killed our soldiers in Sunjuwan.We have not learnt lessons from Uri, Pathankot and Nagrota (terror attacks)… we would like to know from the BJP government where the responsibility lies now?” Owaisi asked.
(With inputs from agencies)