The Congress on Monday asked BJP president Amit Shah and the Union government to come out with the truth of the number of terrorists killed across the border, and accused the ruling party of ‘blatantly politicising the air strikes”.
At a press conference at the party headquarters, former Union Minister R.P.N. Singh said that while Union Minister S.S. Ahluwalia maintained that neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor any government spokesperson had given any figure on the deaths caused by the Balakot air strikes, Mr. Shah claimed 250 terrorists were killed.
“The BJP president claimed that 250 were killed in air strikes. Some said 300, while some others said 350. Where are these figures coming from? Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa clearly said that it is the government’s duty to count casualties,” Mr. Singh said.
The Congress played a video clip of Union Minister S.S. Ahluwalia, who on Saturday told presspersons in West Bengal that the idea behind the Balakot strikes was to convey a message to Pakistan of India’s willingness and capability to act against terror and not to cause human casualty.
“We have always stood behind our forces and the government. But I want to clearly say that BJP ka jhooth sabse mazboot [BJP lies are the strongest]. They are printing posters of the PM and the air strikes. The BJP’s national president wants to take credit in times of election. Their Delhi president [Manoj Tiwari] was actually seen seeking votes wearing Army fatigues. And they have the audacity to say we are doing politics,” Mr. Singh said.
“If there is anyone who is insulting our air warriors and questioning their courage, it is Mr. Modi. He said our aerial attacks would have been more effective if Rafale jets were there. But IAF chief Dhanoa clearly said the MiG-21 Bison was fully capable. The PM should apologise for belittling our Air Force,” Mr. Singh said.
Several other Congress leaders questioned the source of Mr. Shah’s claim.
“The IAF Vice Air Marshal declined to comment on casualties. MEA [External Affairs Ministry] statement said there were no civilian or military casualties. So, who put out the number of casualties as 300-350? As a proud citizen, I am prepared to believe my government. But if we want the world to believe, government must make the effort, not indulge in Opposition-bashing,” senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram tweeted.
Former Law Minister Kapil Sibal questioned the air strikes. “Modi ji must answer as the international media like New York Times, Washington Post, London-based Jane Information group, Daily Telegraph, Guardian and Reuters are reporting that there is no proof of militant losses at Balakot in Pakistan,” Mr. Sibal said.
Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu too joined the debate.
“300 terrorist dead, Yes or No? What was the purpose then? Were you uprooting terrorist or trees? Was it an election gimmick? Deceit possesses our land in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy,” he tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, however, said: “Whether it was one killed or 100, the message had gone out loud and clear – that India will not let the killing of its soldiers and citizens go unpunished.”