Mumbai: Saying that the Kashmir issue cannot be ignored amidst the coronavirus crisis, the Shiv Sena has called for yet another surgical strike to avenge the killing of five jawans in an encounter with terrorists at Handwara in Kashmir.
“Nothing will happen by just mourning the deaths of jawans, killed in Kashmir, and paying tribute to them. The picture of the bodies of five brave soldiers kept wrapped in the tricolour at the Handwara military camp was very painful for every countryman. It stifles the slogan of Jai Hind in the throat itself. The land of Kashmir is soaked with the blood of Colonel Sharma and other soldiers at a time when the Indian Army showered flowers on corona warriors. This is not a good picture,” said the editorial Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Tuesday.
During the war-like situation against coronavirus, we have forgotten the Kashmir war, but Pakistan has not. The attacks by terrorists have gone up along the Kashmir border. The fight against coronavirus and the appreciation of policemen, doctors and nurses will continue, but Kashmir cannot be ignored, said the party.
The Sena demanded that a surgical strike should be carried out to avenge the martyrdom of the five jawans without making any noise about it.
An Army Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel killed in an encounter with terrorists at a village in Handwara two days back. The deceased included Colonel Ashutosh Sharma — Commanding Officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh and Lance Naik Dinesh and JKP sub-inspector Shakeel Qazi.
This is the second time the Indian Army has lost a commanding officer in five years in an encounter with the terrorists, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.
“Sharma was twice honoured with the Shaurya Chakra award. His daughter marked her birthday on May 1 and he died protecting the country on May 3. Somebody should shower petals on the relatives of these martyrs also. Play bands, light up lamps, candles to salute them too,” the editorial said.
