INDIA MOURNS DEAD SOLDIERS
Govt vows to isolate Pakistan amid calls for revenge
THOUSANDS of mourners across India attended funerals yesterday for some of the 41 soldiers killed in a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir as a curfew remained in force in part of the restive region.
The paramilitary troops were killed on Thursday as explosives packed in a van ripped through a convoy transporting 2,500 soldiers in the disputed Himalayan region, the deadliest attack in a three-decade-old armed conflict.
TV stations showed coffins wrapped in Indian flags being carried by thousands of people across their hometowns, such as Gaya in the east and Unnao in the north, after the bodies were flown here on Friday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath.
“I feel proud of the martyrdom of my son. I expect the government of India to avenge the killings,” said Brish Soreng, father of one of the soldiers.
India is garnering diplomatic support after the attack and has vowed to “isolate” Pakistan diplomatically, saying it has “incontrovertible evidence” of Islamabad’s role. Pakistan has rejected the allegations.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton called his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, promising to work with India to “ensure that Pakistan cease to be a safe haven for JeM and terrorist groups that target India, the US and others in the region”, according to a readout released by India’s Foreign Ministry yesterday.
Angry street protests were held across many cities on Friday and residents held candlelight vigils to pay tribute to the dead.
A round-the-clock curfew was imposed on Kashmir’s Jammu city after mobs attacked Muslim properties and set fire to vehicles. At least 12 people were injured, local media reported, and Internet access was suspended.
Many angry social media users demanded retribution, and several hawkish TV channels called for all-out war with Pakistan.
“Please attack and annihilate Pakistan for a safe future for Indians. Now or never,” wrote Twitter user Shantanue Munde.
The attack has put Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party on the back foot ahead of national elections due by May.
“Revenge is the only word that comes to my mind,” tweeted Babul Supriyo, a minister in Modi’s government.
A meeting of political parties here yesterday extended full support to the government in “fighting terrorism, defending India’s unity and integrity”.
In Isfahan, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused “Pakistan’s security forces” of supporting the perpetrators of a suicide bombing that killed 27 troops on Wednesday, in remarks state TV aired yesterday, hours before their funeral was held.
“Pakistan’s government, who has housed these anti-revolutionaries and threats to Islam, knows where they are and they are supported by Pakistan’s security forces,” said Revolutionary Commander Major-General Mohammad Ali Jafari, referring to jihadist group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice).
“If (the Pakistan government) does not punish them, we will retaliate against this anti-revolutionary force, and whatever Pakistan sees will be the consequence of its support for them,” he warned.
His comments came ahead of a two-day visit to Pakistan — due to begin today — by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Salman.