As calls for retaliatory action over the Pulwama attack grew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said time for talks with Pakistan is over while BJP chief Amit Shah asserted that the NDA government would not let the sacrifices of soldiers go in vain.
The assertions by the two top BJP leaders came on a day when the party’s estranged ally Shiv Sena said it was time to “attack” Pakistan to seek revenge for the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the prime minister’s assurance of taking the perpetrators to task should reflect in his actions.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen(retd) VK Singh said India will choose the time and place for retaliation and that it will be “properly planned and well thought of”.
“Any war, war-like or punitive action must be planned for success. It should be a cold act and nothing is to be done in a hurry,” said Singh, a former Army chief.
After holding delegation-level talks with visiting Argentine President Mauricio Macri in Delhi, Modi said any hesitation to take action against terrorism and those who support it is akin to encouraging the menace.
Without naming Pakistan, he said the world should unite to take concrete action against terrorism and those who support it.