India seething with anger; attackers will have to pay a heavy price: PM Modi

KV Prasad
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 15

India on Friday decided to mount a major diplomatic pressure to isolate Pakistan on the world stage and announced withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation status for its neighbour even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said those who had perpetrated the dastardly attack in J&K would have to “pay a very heavy price”.

A day after the attack on the CRPF convoy that led to killing of 42 soldiers and leaving many injured, the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Modi met on Friday morning wherein the members were briefed about the incident and they discussed the current situation.

List of slain troopers  

Political parties across the spectrum condemned the incident while the United Nations and major powers of the world joined in speaking against the terror attack. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who briefed about the CCS deliberations said besides steps against Pakistan, the government would convene an all-party meeting on Saturday after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh returned from Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering ahead of the flagging-off of the Vande Bharat train, Modi said he understood people are seething with anger because of the attack and expectation of “do something” is natural. “Our security forces have been given full freedom…we are fully confident of our soldiers and their bravery. I warn terrorist organisations and their supporters that they have committed a grave mistake and will have to pay a very heavy price,” he said assuring the country that those behind the attack would be punished.

While stating that he respected the sentiments of those criticising his government, the PM requested that in this sensitive and emotional hour, everyone should refrain from political tug-of-war and send a message of unity to the world that the country is fighting this war against terror to win.

Without naming Pakistan, Modi said if India’s neighbour thought that by such acts it could destablise the country it is gravely mistaken. If the country that is facing a grave economic crisis thought that by the terror attacks India would be destroyed such dreams would never materialise.

“Their plans will never be fulfilled. Time has proved that the route they took resulted in destruction and our path is that of progress,” he said reminding that every soldier who offered his life had two dreams--one to defend the country and the other for its prosperity--and the country would dedicate every minute in realising that dream.