Capt lashes out at ‘cowardly’ Pak terror

DERA BABA NANAK (GURDASPUR): Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday hailed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for giving access to Indian pilgrims to the historic Sikh shrine, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, but hit out at neighbouring country’s army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for promoting terror activities in Punjab and killing of Indian soldiers along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also warned the Pakistan government of serious consequences if it did not put an end to the violence perpetrated against India.

Addressing a gathering during the foundation-laying ceremony of Kartarpur corridor near village Mann here, the CM vowed to protect his state and its people

from the terror “unleashed from across the border” till the last drop of his blood.

Lashing out at the Pak army chief, Amarinder said: “As an

ex-armyman, I see no justification in killing soldiers. This is an act of cowardice. Soldiers are taught to protect and serve their nations, not to kill innocent people.” Amarinder recalled the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as a grim reminder of Pak-sponsored terrorism in India. He further pointed out that the Dinanagar and Pathankot attacks in Gurdaspur district also stood out as major examples of Pak-sponsored terror.

He urged Imran to rein in his army and bring an immediate end to terror against Indian armed forces and citizens, or be ready to face a strong reaction from India, which has a bigger army than the neighbouring country. Lashing out at those who felt he should have accepted Pakistan’s invitation, Amarinder asked how he could go when innocent Indian citizens and soldiers were being killed by them every day.

Amarinder said Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to visit Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony was “his way of thinking”.