India's opposition accuses the Indian government of letting Pakistan off the hook over the killing of five soldiers. PHOTO: FILE
NEW DELHI: India's opposition Wednesday accused the government of letting Pakistan off the hook over the killing of five soldiers in disputed Kashmir, creating uproar in parliament.
The opposition zeroed in on conflicting accounts of Monday night's attack.
Defense Minister AK Antony in his account Tuesday to parliament blamed "20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistani Army uniforms", while the army had initially accused Pakistani troops of staging the attack.
"Our defense minister has given a clean chit to Pakistan," Sushma Swaraj, lower house leader of the opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, told parliament.
"The government must admit that the Pakistan army is responsible for this attack," Swaraj said.
The defense minister "has let the country down. He must apologise to the nation," she said.
The din over the incident forced parliament temporarily to adjourn.
Antony later said he "made the statement on basis of whatever information I had" and promised to report back to parliament after the Indian army chief's visit to Kashmir.
The Indian army initially said the soldiers were ambushed by Pakistani army troops but retracted the statement late Tuesday.
While Pakistan has denied any involvement, India said Tuesday it had lodged a "strong" protest with Islamabad over what is one of the worst losses of life for the Indian army since a 2003 truce agreement.
The ambush was front-page news in Indian dailies, with the top-selling Times of India saying the attack "tests India's patience yet again".
India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two over the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.
The killings have threatened to derail their peace dialogue which was slated to resume next month.
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Through the politicians of both country in the Atlantic , all problem will be solved.
@Kaleem: India will sruvive, our youth have gone bonkers now but Iets see. Rab rakha
Most Pakistanis have this wrong info about BJP. BJP might call itself an organisation of Hindus, but when it comes to nation's progress, it has done much better during its rule than Congress ever did. India's nuclear bomb tests were carried out during BJP rule. Peace talks were first initiated with Pakistan after a very long break during BJP's rule. Communal violence incidents were at thier lowest during BJP's rule. India grew rapidly during BJP's rule. Then Congress came for 10 years and ruined it all. There's that difference between BJP of India and the religious parties of Pakistan. India's constitution does not let religion to enter governance of the country. BJP might have done a few "religious stunts" in the past for political gains, but India has progressed much better in its rule. Also, in case some Pakistani feels like pointing out the Guajarat massacre during BJP's rule in that state, they either don't know or choose not to point out the fact that the reason behind the massacre was a group of radicalised Muslims who targetted some Hindu families, which escalated into killing of around 900 Muslims as well as 400 Hindus. Also, that issue was 12 years ago and Modi of BJP was given a clean chit by CBI. (But they did put a Hindu extremist minister in jail). So yes, as far as peace with neighbours and internal peace as well as development of the country is concerned, BJP is much better for India. And for Pakistan as well. (Although things might get a bit tricky if Modi becomes PM of India and Pakistan decides to let some terrorists slip into India to kill soldiers). BJP can be the best thing for Pakistan as well as the worst thing. It depends on how Pakistan (especially the Army) reacts in upcoming years - assuming BJP comes in power. Double playing with India, Afghanistan, USA and everyone won't help Pakistan much in the upcoming years.
@kaleem
there are no mainstream religious party in india,but yes all of them(From BJP cong SP DMK etc) use various religions for gaining votes .
congress era going to end and after next election congress leaders will be deploy at border to improve the friendship with pakistan.hope congress will perform better as BSF role.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan: We (in pak.) are not sure which party has served India better, but we have gut feeling that Congress being a secular party boosts indian image better. If indians want to give religious parties another chance, they should consider the results pak. got from its religious inclination. Havoc!
Perhaps the worst indian Govt ever after independence. utter hopeless. I hope they go out in next election.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan: sir,,how many days/months/years will he take to confirm who is responsible for killings,,,u dont want to india to be nazi germany but on supporting congress u want india to be a coward infront of international community!!!!
The defence minister is just stating the reports he from the army. Thats why I will still vote for the congress. No cheap political gains at nations expense. Indian constitution is our guidance and assurance by our founding fathers. I don't want india to end like Nazi Germany, so no to bjp and rss. Rab rakha, jai hind