Govt has failed to check terror strikes: Opposition

Sushma Swaraj calls for action against Pakistan

Opposition today accused the government of failing to check terror strikes in the country, including yesterday's attack in Srinagar in which five CRPF personnel were killed.

"The External Affairs Minister treats Pakistani Prime Minister to a sumptuous lunch when he comes to Ajmer Sharif and just four days later, this terror attack happens. ... We should unite and challenge Pakistan," Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour.

"I salute the Diwan of Ajmer Sharif (who refused to welcome the visiting Pakistani Premier last week). He did what the government could not do," Swaraj said, seeking a response from the government on the Srinagar terror strike.

She lamented that "the front row of the treasury bench was empty when the House was condoling the death of the CRPF personnel earlier today. Neither the Leader of the House (Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde), nor senior ministers or the UPA Chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) were present when the Speaker was making the obituary reference. It is a sad situation."

Swaraj said it was "very shameful" that every other day Pakistan was attacking Indian soldiers, including beheading one of them recently, and "there is no reaction."

"We got some assurance when the visa on arrival (to Pakistanis) was stopped and the Prime Minister made a statement that business as usual will not do", but the attacks happened again, she said.

Heated exchanges took place between members of National Conference (NC) and the BJP, when Swaraj said, "These attacks are occurring when there is a demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)."

Asserting that "condolence for the dead and compensation for the survived" cannot be the government policy after every such attack, M Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) asked the government to understand the seriousness and go into the core of the issue.

"This is handiwork of our neighbour...What is the approach of the government, Pakistan is aiding and abetting terrorism ...Government should show courage and responsibility and put an end to this," he said.

Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) while offering heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the jawans killed wanted to know what measures were initiated by the government to check such attacks in the wake of hanging of Afzal Guru.

Naresh Agrawal (SP) took a dig at Home Minister Shinde, saying he did mention that the ointment recovered from terrorists was manufactured in Karachi but failed to mention as to which nation the attackers belonged to.

"Why the government in the country is hesitating to name Pakistan? Come out with concrete announcements. Please specify if your government is weak because all such attacks are done to demoralise the nation," he said.

Agarwal said it was a matter of serious concern that the government was a silent spectator while Sri Lankan forces killed innocent Tamils and Italian marines killed fishermen.