Cong favours release of strike evidence with rider

Amid a raging debate over whether the government should release evidence of the army's surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the LoC, Congress today favoured use of all "information, evidence and instruments" to call Pakistan's bluff.
The party, however, said the government should do it "subject to the considerations of national security".
"Subject to the considerations of national security, we again request the government to use all information, evidence and instruments at their disposal in calling the Pakistani bluff," Congress spokesman R P N Singh told reporters here.
Insisting that it is time to "expose the malicious lies and false propaganda" of Pakistan, he said the party has emphasised its unequivocal support to the armed forces and the government in the surgical strikes and has "unquestionably supported our armed forces at all times".

Asked whether the party would take action against Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam for dubbing the surgical strikes as "fake", Singh merely said that the party has taken "note" of it. Yesterday, the party had disassociated itself from Nirupam's remarks and had taken a serious note.
Targeting the BJP which is projecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "strong" leader in the wake of the surgical strikes, Singh said, "These are challenging times and the entire nation should speak in one voice and support the armed forces in demolishing the terror infrastructure instead of making loud claims to gain political mileage."

He alleged that the BJP has attempted to politicise the issue for "myopic political gains".

"Before pointing fingers, BJP should reflect upon the immature conduct of its Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other Cabinet Ministers who are attempting to repeatedly politicise the sacrifice of our armed forces," he said.
Seeking to project the BJP in poor light, he reminded that the BJP chief had assured the nation claiming "Pakistan has made serious effort in Pathankot terror probe".
Earlier in the day, Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala insisted that the party never questioned the authenticity of the strikes but steered clear of the demand for the release of evidence, saying it would give appropriate advise in the best interest of national security if consulted by the government.