JK BJP Legislators Demand "Aerial Strikes" Against Pakistan

SRINAGAR: The ruling BJP legislators Monday demanded that the government must carry out "aerial strikes" against the "terror camps" in Pakistan administered Kashmir following the highway attack in Pampore last Saturday during which eight CRPF personnel were killed.

As soon as the State Legislature resumed in the morning, the BJP legislators created pandemonium in the Lower House by shouting anti-Pakistan and pro-CRPF slogans, and demanding an inquiry into the highway attack.

"Eight of our CRPF jawans have been martyred in the attack. The government must take strict action against Pakistan and the terrorists sponsored by the country," BJP's lawmaker from Nowshera constituency, Ravinder Raina, said.

Eight CRPF personnel were killed while 22 others were injured when two unidentified 'militants', belonging to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, struck on the strategic Srinagar-Jammu highway near the saffron town of Pampore last Saturday.

Raina demanded that the government must carry out aerial strikes on "terror camps" operating in Pakistan administered Kashmir while demanding that the House condemn the attack.

The BJP's Sat Paul then stood up and joined Raina in demanding that an impartial inquiry must be ordered to dig out the facts behind the incident, "The House must unequivocally condemn the CRPF killings and the perpetrators of the incident must be punished," he said.

On this, independent lawmaker from Langate constituency in north Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, demanded that the government must first investigate the civilian killings in Handwara in the month of April which sparked widespread anguish in the Valley.

Five civilians were killed after the rumours of the alleged molestation of a schoolgirl by an Army soldier gained currency in local population, sparking violent protests which were curbed with the use of lethal force.

"People from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh participate in Iftar party thrown by the Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi and here their comrades are demanding action against Pakistan. You must first investigate the Handwara killings and provide justice to civilians killed in forces firing," he said.

The Speaker, Kavinder Gupta, condemned the highway attack and said that the House has already expressed condolences to the families of those CRPF trooper who were killed in the suicide attack.