JD(U) backs Congress, holds PM Modi responsible for Uri attack

Backing the Congress demand for the resignation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for the terror attack in Uri , Jammu and Kashmir, and added that India's policy towards Pakistan lacks strategic coherence and clarity.

JD (U) spokesperson Pawan Varma told ANI that earlier Prime Minister Modi used to accuse the UPA government of being soft on Pakistan and at present he should take the responsibility himself.

"I think the Prime Minister would be reluctant to fix responsibility for Uri because, in that case, he may have to actually identify himself as also responsible," Varma said.

"I say this not because I doubt in any way the Prime Minister's bonafides, I say this because, so far the policy towards Pakistan has lacked strategic coherence and clarity. And, I believe, that ultimately as Prime Minister, the fact that two incidents have happened close to each other, where terrorists from across the border literally strolled into high security establishments like an air force base in Pathankot and then an Army base in Uri," he added.

Stating that somewhere the current government should take responsibility, Varma said, "Prime Minister Modi, when he used to accuse the UPA government of being soft on Pakistan, always attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and accused of him having 'biryani', while our brave soldiers were dying. Why should he now not take the responsibility himself?"

The Congress Friday said the Uri terror attack was the result of a "massive operational and intelligence failure" and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should fix responsibility on the Defence Minister and the National Security Advisor.

In one of the worst attack in recent times, at least 18 soldiers lost their lives and over 20 others got injured post the terror strike on an army camp close to the headquarters of the 12th Brigade at Uri in Baramulla district.