An editorial in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamana' pushed for surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to end terrorism.
Hitting out at Pakistan after four soldiers were killed in Kashmir, Shiv Sena today said it has accorded "independent soldiers" status to terrorists, for which India is paying a heavy price, and rued the dearth of political will to carry out surgical strikes across the border, like in Myanmar.
"Instead of saying that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorists, it would be better to say that these terrorists have been accorded the status of 'independent soldiers' by Pakistan," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.
"The way our forces entered Myanmar to eliminate terrorists, we are capable of doing the same in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as well... Indian Air Force Chief says the intent and decision will have to be taken by the political leadership. It is understood then that there is no dearth of willingness and capabilities, but there is less or no political will to do so," the Sena said.
Pushing for strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the editorial said, "What bravery is it that we keep garlanding the coffins of martyred jawans? Enter Pakistan once and eliminate terrorism from its roots."
It also said, "Those who we kill are given the status of martyrs by them and memorials are constructed... We are not fighting a battle with Pakistani soldiers, but with terrorists who have been trained by the neighbouring country. Sadly, these terrorists are outweighing us," it said.
The recent attacks in Gurdaspur, Udhampur and now in Kupwara make it seem that we are unable to teach Pakistan a lesson. On the contrary we need to learn lessons, the Sena opined.
Four jawans lost their lives in a fierce gunbattle with terrorists during an operation launched in Haphruda forest in Handwara yesterday, following information about the presence of terrorists there. One terrorist was killed in a separate encounter that broke out during an operation in Lolab area.