CREDIT FOR SURGICAL STRIKES GOES TO PM

Credit for surgical strikes goes to PM

Impervious to accusations of taking credit for army’s surgical strike across the Line of Control (Loc), Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday reiterated that a major share of the credit for the covert operations carried out in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The major share goes to the Prime Minister… But, I will at least claim (that) the credit is decision-making ability and planning. So that should settle the nerves of many people," Parrikar said while addressing a gathering at the Materials Engineering Technology conference

Taking a dig at those accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to reap political benefit from the cross-LoC strikes, Parrikar said that the September 29 operation was carried out by the Indian Army and not a political party.

Therefore, every citizen of the country should share the credit even those questioning the strikes.

"Because it was done by the army, not any political party. So all Indians, including doubting Thomases, can share the credit," Parrikar said.

A war of words erupted over the politicisation of the strike with the opposition accusing the government of seeking to capitalise on the Indian Army's action for electoral gains.

The surgical strike came in the wake of the terror attack at an army camp in Uri town of Kashmir on September 18, in which 19 soldiers were killed.

Parrikar also said the strike has satisfied sentiments of the people across the country.

"I understand (that) people's sentiments are satisfied and population is satisfied," he said.

(the statesman)