Pathankot terror attack: Cong targets Modi

New Delhi, Jan 2: Voicing serious concern over the terror attack on Pathankot air base, Congress today questioned Modi government's handling of Pakistan affairs while reminding the Prime Minister of his promise to assertively handle ties with the neighbouring country.

"It’s indeed a very serious matter as seven days after PM Modi visited Pakistan to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif, a terrorist module comes from Pakistan and attacks in Punjab and attacks our frontline security installation.

Two things are very clear. First despite PM visit to Pakistan, ISI continues to sustain and support terror activities against India. "The current module appears to have come from Pakistan in the same fashion. Secondly the terror camps that are run by terrorists for carrying on anti- India activity in POK continues to be supported by Pakistani establishments.

It raises security concerns for Punjab as the state is witnessing a sudden surge in such activities after being peaceful for the last 20 years," AICC Communication department chief Randeep Surjewala told reporters here. He said that the attack on the first day of the New Year in Pathankot is a matter of serious concern and the Opposition party expresses its deep concerns on this evolving situation of the internal security in the country.

The BJP government should utilize the services of security experts and if necessary leaders of the Congress Party in engagement and finding lasting solution to blocking terror activity which is coming into India via Pakistan," he said.

Recalling that Punjab has seen no terrorist activity for last 20 years, Surjewala found fault with the government on the issue of internal security and rued,"two terrorist attacks has now happened in last 5 months, 3 terrorist attacks have been made in JK and Punjab in last 5 months by terrorists who have came from Pakistan.

First attack happened in Dinanagar in Jammu, second attack happened in Udhampur, Gurdaspur, Punjab where an SP of Police valiantly fought the terrorists laid down his own life along with the other police personnel and naturalized the terrorists.

This is the third terrorist attack on the first night of the New Year." Suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from Pakistan today struck at an Air Force base in Pathankot in Punjab, killing three security personnel while four of the attackers were killed in an operation that lasted more than five hours.

The attack comes just a week after the Prime Minister made an unscheduled visit to Lahore, touching down in Pakistan for the first time on Christmas to greet Sharif on his birthday and for his granddaughter's wedding.

IANS