India's LoC strike aftermath: PM Narendra Modi to hold CCS meeting today

'What we were waiting for has happened,' says RSS chief; Mehbooba Mufti calls for restraint and de-escalation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to hold a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Friday. The meeting is likely to discuss India’s preparedness in case of a retaliatory strike by Pakistan-based terror outfits.

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar exulted after the news of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army came out on Thursday.

The government and BJP’s feedback was that its supporters were increasingly feeling disillusioned for the Modi government’s failure to militarily retaliate against the terror attack mounted from Pakistan.

Party leaders were of the view claim that India had isolated Pakistan in the world community or the PM’s speech in Kozhikode at a public rally couldn’t whet the emotional appetite of the nation. But now the party is hopeful it can head into the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa more confidently because of the surgical strikes.

That the Sangh Parivar felt itself to be under pressure was evident from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments on Thursday evening. “What we all were waiting for has now happened,” he said at an event to commemorate the 1,000th birth anniversary of Kashmir's philosopher Acharya Abhinavagupta here. Art of Living founder Ravi Shankar also congratulated the defence forces for the surgical strikes.

“We are proud of #IndianArmy for taking pre-emptive action & repelling terrorists' attempt to destabilise peace & tranquillity in the region,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted.

Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters the surgical strikes will eventually have a positive impact on the economy. Currency and stock markets will stabilise in a few days’ time, he said. “Terrorism-biggest threat to our financial & economic stability and growth. Decisive action against terrorism will spur growth and stability,” Das later tweeted.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for restraint and de-escalation of the “war-like situation”. She said India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication. “We in J&K have suffered immensely because of the violence and know very well its dangers and consequences,” she said.

In sync with the mood across the country, the Congress hailed the Army for the surgical strikes and also extended its full support to the government in the fight against terrorism.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to brief her on the surgical strikes ahead of an all-party meeting called by the government to build political consensus over the issue.

The Congress stance marked a clear shift in strategy as the party had been targeting the government saying it was struggling to frame an effective response to the Uri attack in which 18 soldiers were martyred. The party had earlier in the day decided to field party spokesperson Manish Tewari to face the media but quickly cancelled the AICC briefing, letting Gandhi take the lead.

“The Congress stands with the government in its actions to protect our country’s security and deal with the menace of terrorism from across the border,” Gandhi said in a statement.

“This is a strong message that conveys our country’s resolve to prevent further infiltration and attacks on our security forces and our people,” she said.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who attended a court case in Guwahati, tweeted: “I salute the Indian Army and our jawans for acting valiantly to defend our country & our people. Jai Hind.”