BJP Slams KCR's Comments On Surgical Strikes

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy today condemned the comments of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao questioning the authenticity of the surgical strikes carried out by the armed forces a couple of years back.

"I strongly condemn the irresponsible statement of the Telangana CM against the Indian armed forces. The fact that these came in on the eve of the anniversary of the Pulwama attack show insensitivity, irresponsibility and ignorance that are unbecoming of a Chief Minister," he said.

Reddy said that questioning the Prime Minister or the government was a democratic right of any leader, but KCR insulting the armed forces was extremely unfortunate.

"This after Pakistan's open admission of the conspiracy of Pulwama in which 40 brave CRPF jawans laid down their lives for the country, for which India retaliated with the surgical strikes. Isn't the valour of Abhinandan Vardhaman proof enough? Aren't the corroborations from various independent international defence observers and intelligence agencies proof enough? Aren't Pakistan's own actions of declaring a no-fly zone on Pakistani air space for more than 6 months after the Balakot airstrikes proof enough?" he asked KCR.

Reddy said that if the evidence shown by him was not enough, KCR could seek proof from the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan directly.

He said that the world had acknowledged the strikes and commended the grit demonstrated by Prime Minister Modi after the attack on the Indian armed forces at Balakot, and that the entire Telangana community, which was known for courage, was today feeling ashamed to have a Chief Minister who echoed the Pakistan narrative on surgical strikes.

"The Indian armed forces are fighting valiantly against our enemies across the border on multiple fronts. Last year Colonel Santosh Babu, a Telugu bidda, gave up his life to protect this great country. I request CM KCR to not insult those who attained sadgati in protecting this great country," he said.