Asking the opposition to refrain from ‘politicizing’ the issue of terrorist attack in Dina Nagar on Monday, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that cheap politics was undesirable and unwarranted on the issue of national interest.Interacting with the media persons after visiting the premises of Police station used by the Terrorists as a hide out during the recent attack here today, the Chief Minister said that politics could be done on issues related to economic, social or political field but politics on the issues concerned with the unity and integrity of the country was shameful. He said that it was the time when all the political parties and their leaders must join hands to combat the grave problem of terrorism. “It is highly deplorable that few political leaders are trying to get political mileage by indulging in politicking over this issue”, added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister said that the state government would make whole hearted efforts to further modernize the Police force in the state. Batting for liberal central assistance to modernize the police force in the state, he said that it was the need of the hour so as to further equip the state Police force with modern weapons. “We can wait for some more time for funds for building bridges and roads but funds for modernizing the Police force must be released expeditiously”, added Mr. Badal.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that militancy could not become successful until and unless the people of that region do not support it. He said that the people of state were totally against terrorism and they oppose it outrightly. “This is the reason due to which terrorism cannot raise its ugly head again in the state”, added Mr. Badal.
Lauding the Punjab Police for showing exemplary courage to combat this terrorist attack, the Chief Minister said that if the Police force had not taken timely action then the loss due to this attack would have been manifold. He said that big plan aimed at disturbing the hard earned peace of the state has been foiled by the state Police, for which the entire nation salutes it. “The recent terror attack might have resulted in a far more grave tragedy having severe implications in terms of mass casualties and heavy destruction. God forbid this trail of impending huge loss has been averted due to the swift action and alertness on the part of our brave force”, added Mr. Badal.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the premises of the Police station to take stock of the entire situation. Mr. Badal specially visited the building that was used by the terrorists to take shelter during the operation and enquired about the whole operation by the senior officers. He was apprised by the senior Police officers including Inspector General Mr. Ishwar Chander and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Gurpreet Singh Toor about the entire operation undertaken by the Police to flush out the terrorists during the counter insurgency operation on Monday.In the afternoon, the Chief Minister also visited the houses of martyred cops and civilians, who lost their life during the operation, to share his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families. He met the families of Sukhdev Singh in village Attepur (Pathankot), Amarjeet Singh in village Jagatpur (Pathankot), Desraj in village Jungle Bhiwani (Pathankot), Bodhraj in village Shaadipur (Pathankot), Ghulam Rasool in village Shahpur (Gurdaspur) and Nirmala Devi in village Avakhaan (Gurdaspur) to pay homage to the departed soul.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. GS Babbehali, MLAs Mrs. Seema Kumari and Mr. Ashwani Sharma, former Ministers Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, Director General of Police (DGP) Home Guards Mr. SK Sharma, Inspector General Mr. Ishwar Chander, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur and Pathankot Dr. Abhinav Trikha and Mr. Sukhwinder Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Gurpreet Singh Toor and SSP Pathankot Mr. Rakesh Kaushal.