BJP seeking political mileage from Srinagar CRPF camp attack: Cong

Congress today hit back at BJP over criticism of government's handling of terror after the fidayeen attack on CRPF camp in Srinagar, reminding it that the only time India "surrendered" to Pakistani terrorists was during the Kandhar plane-hijack under NDA rule.

Congress on Thursday hit back at BJP over criticism of government's handling of terror after the fidayeen attack on CRPF camp in Srinagar, reminding it that the only time India "surrendered" to Pakistani terrorists was during the Kandhar plane-hijack under NDA rule.

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"Our government has always shown grit and determination in the face of terror. We have never succumbed to the demands of terrorists like some others did under the NDA Government during the Kandahar plane-hijack.

"What Sushma Swaraj says does not hold any weight. The only time India surrendered to Pakistani terrorists, when during the Vajpayee government, the then defence minister carried the terrorists of Kandahar plane hijack to Pakistan," party spokesperson PC Chacko told reporters in New Delhi.

He also hit out at the BJP for trying to take "political mileage" of the issue and said that they will never succeed in it.

"Blaming the Congress and the government for it is very unfortunate," Chacko said, adding that the government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken a number of steps to check terror incidents.

Condemning Wednesday's attack in Kashmir in which five CRPF jawans were killed and 17 others were injured, Chacko said that there are clear evidence that the terrorist attack is linked to Pakistan and the "government should face it strongly".

He also asked all political parties to unite behind the government in foiling the designs of the neighbouring country.

"Pakistan owes an explanation not only to India but to the entire world for this attack," Chacko said.

He also denied contentions that there was any dilution by the home minister regarding Pakistan's involvement in the case saying "there is no dilution... there is no going back. The home minister is very categorical and clear in the statement. There was no doubt in either House of Parliament over it."

Two suspected Pakistani terrorists, disguised as cricketers, stormed a CRPF camp Kashmir in a fidayeen (suicide) attack on Wednesday killing five of its personnel in the first major strike in the city in three years.

The issue sparked uproar in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday.