PM Modi warns Pakistan: Uri attack will not be forgotten

Kozhikode: Launching a blistering attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned its leadership that the Uri terror attack will not be forgotten and the sacrifice of 18 jawans will not go in vain. In his first public address after last Sunday’s deadly attack by terrorists from across the border, he said India will mount an all-out offensive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically to expose its activities in exporting terror, killing of innocent people and spilling blood. Modi was speaking at a public meeting in Kozhikode on the sidelines of the BJP National Council meet.

“Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans will not go in vain,” Modi said.

Modi held Pakistan directly responsible for the Uri attack, saying the country exported terrorists due to which 18 soldiers sacrificed their lives. The PM said there is one nation in Asia whose aim is to spread terrorism and is working towards ensuring that the 21st century does not belong to Asia.

“Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is a safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world. Be it Afghanistan, Bangladesh or other nations, we have seen whenever the news of terror incidents comes, terrorists have either gone from this country or have settled there after committing the crime,” he said. The PM said India had never bowed to terror and will never do so in future and will strive to defeat it.

Lashing out at the neighbouring country, Modi said its leaders used to say that they will fight for 1,000 years with India and wondered where they are now. “I accept this challenge. I want to tell you that India wants to fight with Pakistan. If you have the courage then why not fight to end poverty, unemployment, illiteracy. Let us see which country wins, India or Pakistan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress attacked Modi for “shooting the breeze” on the Uri terror attack in his speech at the BJP meet and said that “verbal belligerence” can never be a substitute for policy and action. “The prime minister is only shooting the breeze. He is trying to hide the inefficiency of his government behind rhetoric,” Congress’s Manish Tewari said. The CPM said the BJP-led Central government lacked concrete policies to deal with Pakistan and Kashmir issues.