By asking for proofs, we are indirectly exposing our army's strategy to Pak: Ujjwal Nikam

With a section of leaders demanding proof of the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army of Pakistani terror launch pads, noted public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has asked don't they understand that by asking for such proofs, they are indirectly exposing our army's strategy to the enemy country and who will be going to be benefitted by exposing such strategies, of course, Pakistan.

"I feel very sorry that certain people in our country are still demanding the evidence about our surgical strike. Don't they understand that by asking for such proofs, they are indirectly exposing our army's strategy to the enemy country, and who will be going to be benefitted by exposing such strategies? Of course, the enemy country - Pakistan will be largely benefitted," Nikam told ANI.

Suggesting such leaders to "let Pakistan deny, we don't bother about it," Nikam, who was involved in the 1993 Bombay bombings case and the 2008 Mumbai attacks' prosecutions, said he was reminded of an incident that had occurred in the terror attacks of 26 November, 2008 in Mumbai.

Recounting the incident, the special public prosecutor said, "In fact, the special judge had asked me to marshal the evidence as to how the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos have conquered and overpowered the terrorists. I urged before the court that we cannot lead such evidences, because it is not in the public interest. The court said if you are not leading the evidence, the court will examine its court witness; and the court accordingly issued summons to NSG guards."

Asserting that they challenged the special court's order in the high court, Nikam said, "The high court ruled that such disclosures would vitally affect the public interest; national interest; and that would also involve the risk to NSG's strategy, because certain strategies of the army and the NSG cannot be disclosed, otherwise the enemy country will be benefitted. And therefore, the high court said 'no' - 'the order of the special court 'erroneous and wrong'. And, it was set aside with certain modification."

"That is why it is the most unfortunate thing that some people are demanding evidence of our surgical strikes against terrorists. I feel very sorry for them," Nikam rued.

A political slugfest over surgical strikes broke out Tuesday with Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam calling it "fake" and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking the government to release the proof of the surgical strikes to counter the Pakistani propaganda against the operation.

"Every Indian wants #SurgicalStrikesAgainstPak but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by #BJP. Politics over national interest," tweeted Nirupam.

"BJP make a mockery out of it by chest thumping and putting up posters in UP,Goa crediting PM Modi instead of the Army," Nirupam said in another tweet.

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted: "BJP, I m convinced that strikes took place. But intl media publishing Pak propaganda that no strike took place. Lets expose Pak propaganda."

Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly and senior Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela also asked the Centre "to provide proof of the Army's action to clear the doubts arising in the mind of the people about the claims of the government".