Was Pulwama attack a routine incident?: Amit Shah slams Congress over Sam Pitroda's remarks

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday slammed the Congress and demanded an apology from party chief Rahul Gandhi over its leader Sam Pitroda’s remarks questioning the government's aggressive action against Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack.

“Pitroda’s remarks are demoralising. National security is an important issue. Does Congress belief terror has no links with Pakistan? Congress President should explain it to the nation- do you consider such heinous attack (Pulwama attack) a routine incident?” asked Shah while addressing a press conference.

Targeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi over Pitroda’s remarks in reference to Pulwama attack that an entire nation cannot be held responsible for a deed by seven-eight people, Shah wondered if the Congress believed that the Pakistan government and military were involved in the dastardly attack.

“If a country shouldn't be held responsible for deeds of 7-8 people, does Congress believe that Pakistan government and military has a connection with terror attacks here? If there is a connection, who is the culprit, Congress party should answer,” Shah said.

“If terror attacks shouldn't be responded with surgical strikes and air strikes, and should be dealt with talks, is this Congress' policy to deal with terrorism. Congress President should respond on this,” he added.

Furthering his attack on Rahul, Shah asked him to clear his stand who he supported and said that doubting the Indian Air Force was not right from the president of a national party.

"Who do you (Rahul Gandhi) support? Doubting the Indian Air Force is not right for the national president of any party. You stand in support when slogans are raised against the country in JNU, and call it the freedom of expression," said Amit Shah.

Pitroda, the Indian Overseas Congress chief, on Friday told media that one cannot "jump on entire nation" (Pakistan) just because some people from there "came here and attacked".

In an apparent reference to the Pulwama terror attack, the Congress leader said attacks happen all the time and then referred to the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008 when the Congress-led UPA was in power, saying the then government could have sent its planes but that is "not the right approach".

He also sought more facts from the Modi government on Balakot air strikes last month while referring to international media reports questioning claims that over 300 terrorists were killed in the IAF action.

His remarks drew sharp reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The prime minister said Pitroda, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's "most trusted advisor and guide", has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of his party, "ironically by demeaning India's armed forces".