Pune attack a grim reminder to UPA Government not to talk with Pak: Jaitely

New Delhi, Feb.14 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitely on Sunday condemned Saturday's bomb blast at the German Bakery in Pune, which claimed nine lives and injured about 50 others.

He said the Centre needs to address the fragility of national security and was wrong to initiate talks with Pakistan, regarded as the fountainbed of terrorism in South Asia.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, Jaitely said that the BJP was of the view that the bomb blast is a terrorist attack.

"The venue chosen is in a crowded area. The German Bakery is in the neighborhood of a Jewish settlement. The bakery is also visited by foreigners from the OSHO Ashram. The targeting of foreign nationals is also intended to create an international impact. This blast establishes that those inimical to India are continuing their war against India," he said.

Jaitely added: "The Government of India must seriously introspect weather our Intelligence collection and security responses are still inadequate. How then was a place visited by David Headley still unprotected?

"The Government in the past few days has announced some misconceived and adventurist steps. Allowing persons from PoK to return is legitimizing Infiltration. The recommencement of the dialogue with Pakistan irrespective of whether Pakistan stops allowing its soil for being used for terror against India has made utterances of Pakistani leaders and Jehadi groups more belligerent," he said.

"What has happened in Pune is a grim reminder to all of us about the fragility of our security and the adventurist traps we are walking into. The BJP urges the government to reconsider both these steps i.e. allowing persons from PoK to return and resuming the dialogue with Pakistan. Terror and talks cannot co-exist.

When terror threatens India, 'Not talking' is a legitimate diplomatic option," Jaitely concluded. (ANI)