Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday gave full marks to the state police in sharing information and combat response that resulted in prompt deployment of the National Security Guard (NSG), the army and the air force personnel at the Pathankot airbase, averting a far bigger tragedy.
Sukhbir, who called on Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, pointed out that it was only because of this timely deployment that the terrorists were not allowed to inflict any damage on the most sensitive, strategic and technical assets and equipment, including fighter and bomber planes.
He urged the home minister to strengthen, reinforce and completely modernise the functional capabilities and combat-response vigil of the Border Security Force (BSF) all along the border with Pakistan adjoining Punjab. Sukhbir said although “the BSF and other forces tasked with the sensitive responsibility of blocking infiltration of hostile elements, including terrorists, had always stood up to the challenge in the most commendable manner, yet there had been instances that left something to be desired,” while citing the attacks by highly-trained terrorists at Dinanagar and Pathankot.
He said the numerical strength of the BSF and other forces had been shown to be inadequate to deal with the rising spectre of cross-border terrorism.
{{/usCountry}}He said the numerical strength of the BSF and other forces had been shown to be inadequate to deal with the rising spectre of cross-border terrorism.
{{/usCountry}}‘Expedite Bargari probe’
The deputy CM urged the Union home minister to direct the CBI to put the Bargari sacrilege case on “the fastest, most expeditious and priority mode so that culprits in the case are identified, apprehended and given exemplary punishment under the law.” “This must be deemed as a national priority as it involves the profound and sacred sentiments of millions of people all over the world, Sikhs as well as all right-thinking people in every community everywhere,” Sukhbir told Rajnath.