NEW DELHI - India right-wing politician Raj Thackeray linked Pathankot and Pulwama terror attacks with elections and said another “Pulwama like strike” could occur in near future in a bid to win the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, reported Indian newspaper *India Today. link*
Thackeray also slammed as “insult to jawans” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that presence of Rafale jets could have added to more firepower to the February 26 raids by Air Force on a “terrorist camp” in Pakistan’s Balakot.
Thackeray was addressing party workers on the 13th Foundation Day of the MNS.
In the February 14 Pulwama attack, the worst in the Valley so far, 40 troopers of the CRPF were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a bus in the paramilitary force’s convoy.
Thackeray also alleged that the warnings issued by intelligence agencies prior to the Pulwama attack were ignored.
“40 jawans were martyred in the Pulwama attack. Should we still not ask questions? In December, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had met his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok. Who will tell us what transpired at the meeting?” he questioned.
Taking a dig at the BJP president Amit Shah’s statement on the number of casualties in the Balakot strike, the MNS chief said whether Shah was one of the “co-pilots” who participated in the airstrike.
“Intelligence agencies had sounded off warnings before Pulwama, however, they were ignored. Is the NSA not responsible if jawans were killed despite prior intelligence?” he asked.