Soldiers killing: Cong demands appropriate measures at highest

Expressing outrage over the killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan, Congress today demanded "appropriate" measures at the highest level but rejected BJP's criticism of the government on this, reminding it of Kargil war during NDA rule.
"Indian nation could not be cowed down by such blatant acts of deceit," party chief Sonia Gandhi said and urged the government to take up appropriate measures.
Vice President Rahul Gandhi also urged the government for "steps" to be taken "at the highest level", Congress spokesperson Bhakta Charan Das told reporters at the party briefing.
Das, however, rejected BJP's criticism of "weak" handling of the issue by the government.

"BJP should not forget even before Kargil war happened. What was the compulsion," he said in a veiled reference to then NDA Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's goodwill visit to Pakistan before the Kargil war.
Das, however, refused to comment on questions on whether after this incident, India will cancel its likely meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the UN in September.
"India and the neighbourhood have made progress in the economic field. Whether talks should go on or not... On talks, I will not comment. Government has taken up the matter on diplomatic channels. This is not time to speak on that. An incident had happened and Congress President and Vice President have expressed deep concern on that," he said.

To repeated questions on whether terror and talks could go together, Das said, "It would be very hasty to give a statement on this at this point.