NEW DELHI: Pakistani minister Fawad Choudhry’s bragging in the National Assembly that the Pulwama attack which killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel was an “achievement” of PM Imran Khan saw BJP question opposition parties who it said had raised doubts on the terror attack that led to the IAF bombing a JeM training camp in Balakot.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said Choudhry’s statement had vindicated claims made by the Indian government that all terror attacks in India are sponsored by Pakistan.
“Unfortunately, a senior Congress member had raised doubts about the Pulwama attack and had made unsolicited remarks against PM Narendra Modi,” he said in a TV interview. He was referring to remarks of Congress member Rahul Gandhi, who had then asked as to whom the Pulwama attack would benefit.
Singh said Gandhi’s remarks were “sad and ironic” as the opposition party had offered no reaction even after the Pakistani minister’s admission. “Congress members should have at least clarified to the country whether they believe or not that Pakistan has sponsored terror attacks in India,” Singh said and urged the party to rise above party lines on the issue of India’s security and integrity.
I&B minister Prakash Javadekar sought an apology from opposition members who had talked about a conspiracy behind the terror attacks.
“Pakistan has admitted its hand the behind Pulwama terror attack. Now, Congress and others who talked of conspiracy theories must apologise to the country,” he said.
BJP’s social media head Amit Malviya tweeted, “Now, one needs to ask the likes of Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, Ramgopal Yadav and others who spoke for Pakistanis.”
He also shared the opposition member’s remarks after the Pulwama attack took place. “Today, as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the Pulwama attack , let us ask: 1. Who benefited the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP government has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack,” Rahul had tweeted after the attack.