Pathankot attack: Amarinder flays attempts to sabotage Indo-Pak peace

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Saturday condemned the terror attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot, saying it was a clear attempt by rogue elements in Pakistan to sabotage the peace process, which must not be allowed to be happen.

Noting that the attack took place only a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit, Singh hoped that it was not a repeat of what happened after then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's Lahore bus journey. The Kargil war took place soon after Vajpayee's visit.

"It is a clear attempt by rogue elements in Pakistan to subvert and sabotage the peace process between the two countries (India and Pakistan) which must not be allowed at any cost", the Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha said here.

"It is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to identify such elements and deal with them with a firm hand," he said.

The former Punjab Chief Minister said it reminded him of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Lahore, while Pakistani army was planning an attack on Kargil.

"I hope it is not the repeat of what happened after the Lahore bus journey", the Amritsar MP said, while pointing out that the attack has taken place only a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit.

He said while the peace process should continue, India at the same time must not lower its guard.

"We can't allow our people, soldiers and police personnel to be killed by the militants from across the border and Pakistan needs to own up responsibility and deal with such elements firmly", he said, adding, they know where the problem lies and they must resolve it.

Capt Amarinder also saluted the martyrs for their bravery.

"Even as we grieve your loss, the entire nation is proud of you for the exemplary valour and courage you have shown today by killing the terrorists and the nation will always remember your great sacrifice", he said.

"Our security personnel were alert, but the surprise element lies with the attackers and who knows when and where they will strike," he said.