Speaking at the inauguration ride of the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed Vande Mataram Express train this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that those responsible for the terror strike at Jammu-Kashmir’s Pulwama district yesterday which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel will be ‘punished’.
Calling it a ‘grave mistake’ by those behind the attack, the Prime Minister added that a ‘strong reply’ would soon reach the perpetrators of the attack. He said the terrorists will pay a heavy price for the Pulwama attack. The security forces have the ‘full freedom’ to carry out anti-terrorist operations as the country has ‘full faith in their bravery’, he stated.
Attacking Pakistan for harbouring terrorists groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed which has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack, Modi called the neighbouring country the ‘guardian’ of terrorist cells. Condemning Pakistan for allowing Azhar Mahmood – leader and member of the Jaish-e-Mohammed group to roam freely on its soil, the Prime Minister added that the neighbouring country stood isolated in the international community for its subversive methods.
Modi also thanked all the countries who have expressed support for India and condemned the Pulwama attack.
Following yesterday’s attack, the External Affairs Ministry has issued a statement asking that the United Nations to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed and declare Azhar Mahmood an international terrorist.
