Cong strongly condemns Pak Army chief's statement

The Congress today strongly condemned Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa statement on "avenging the blood of its soldiers shed at the border" and demanded that the government respond to it in a befitting manner.

Congress spokesperson R P N Singh also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his claims of having a "56-inch chest" to respond to Pakistan which was made by him during campaign of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"We condemn this statement of Pakistan Army Chief in very very strong words. But this is a question you should be asking the prime minister of this country that Pakistan continues to make these kinds of statements, what is the response of the central government to the statements.

"Where is that 56-inch chest that we heard of in 2013 and 2014. The central government must give befitting reply to Pakistan whenever it points fingers and tries to condemn the sacrifices of our soldiers and citizens," he told reporters.

On the issue of reported move of the Pakistan government to open Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims, Singh said if the Sikh pilgrims are allowed to visit the holy shrine, it is something which is very good for the people of India if they go and pray there.

"If that is being allowed, that will be something very good for the people who have faith in that shrine. Millions of Indians have faith in that holy shrine. If they get a passage to it, that will be a good move," Singh said.

On the Bharatiya Janata Party's criticism of Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu that he will 'bow his head' before the Pakistan government on the issue of opening the border with India for access to the Sikh pilgrims to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara, he said Sidhu had gone to Pakistan and had urged the Pakistan president to allow passage to Kartarpur corridor for Sikhs.

On Kashmir, Singh said India's stand is very clear that there can be no interference of any third party in discussion between India and Pakistan.

"That is the stand the Congress party started and we stand firm on that ground," he said.

The Pakistan Army chief has reportedly said, "We will avenge the blood of Pakistan martyrs shed at border.