Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that “those running terror factories across the border are living under the shadow of fear now.” He was referring to the Balakot air strike in Pakistan.
“For the first time, those who intend to attack India think a hundred times before crossing the border,” said Mr. Modi as he kick-started the BJP’s election campaign in J&K from Jammu’s Akhnoor area.
He warned that terrorist supporters, whether across the border or within the country, “will have to pay heavily” if any step was taken against India’s national interest or its security. “Now, any [terror] act [in J&K] will resound across the border,” he said.
Praising people living in the border areas for their fortitude, Mr. Modi promised that inconvenience during cross-LoC skirmishes “will come to end soon.”
Criticises NC, PDP, Cong.
Attacking the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, Mr. Modi said, “How can those who praise Pakistan or make statements that draw claps across the border be acceptable to the people of India?” Terror funding and its links were being unearthed in J&K and “organisations that promote terrorism are being banned.”
“I am changing the traditional course of action, but the NC, the PDP and the Congress are having sleepless nights. They are now abusing me,” he said.
Referring to NC candidate Akbar Lone’s viral video where he raised pro-Pakistan slogans, Mr. Modi said: “An NC leader raised unacceptable slogans recently. It surprises me how the Congress can shake hands with them.”
‘A different tune’
He blamed the three parties for the “current problems” in Kashmir and the migration of Kashmiri Pandits. “India decided to strike against terrorists in Balakote. While the country is talking in one voice and is busy teaching a lesson to the enemies of the country, Congress and its allies are singing a different tune. The Prime Minister said statements by the leaders of the NC, PDP and the Congress over the Balakote strike “were praised in Pakistan.”
He urged the people “to give a befitting reply to terrorists and their patrons by electing a BJP government in the upcoming elections. “Congress’s attitude is beyond comprehension. Was Sardar Patel part of the same Congress? Is it the same Congress that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a part of, and fought for India’s independence?” he said.
No matter how much they resist, this “chowkidar” would stand strong, the Prime Minister said.