Security forces will gear up to deal with challenge: Arun Jaitley

Terror attacks has nothing to do with complexion of the governments in power at the Centre, said Jaitley

Security forces will work on their strategy to deal with 'fidayeen attacks' by terrorists which have emerged as a "major challenge", Union Minister Arun Jaitley said here while citing the Pathankot attack in January and the Uri incident on Sunday.

"These are challenges to our security," the Finance Minister said, condemning the terrorist attack on a camp at Army's Brigade Headquarters in Uri town, which left 17 security personnel dead.

".. Pathankot and Uri (terror attacks) appear to indicate that these (fidayeen attacks) have restarted again. And I think this is a major challenge which I am sure our security forces will gear up to respond," Jaitley told reporters.

He said that in recent years there had been an increasing reliance "on activities like stone throwing agitations" which were instigated from across the border.

He said the terror attacks "have nothing to do with complexion of the governments in power at the Centre."

Replying to a question, he said, "such (like Uri attack) security situations are handled by security forces... On the basis of political statements, response is not given".

Asked about a recent statement of Pakistan Defence Minister that if the neighbouring country will need to use nuclear weapons for their survival they will, Jaitley said, "This is an irresponsible statement. Such statements are condemnable and the world also does not accept such threats."

Heavily armed militants stormed a battalion headquarters of the Army in North Kashmir's Uri town in the wee hours today, killing 17 jawans and injuring 19 other personnel in the strike in which four ultras were neutralised.

In January, seven military personnel were killed when six terrorists attacked the Pathankot air base.