Opposition asking for Balakot strike details untenable, says Prakash Javadekar

Kolkata: Union minister Prakash Javadekar Monday criticised Opposition parties for questioning the Indian Air Force's bombing of a terror training camp in Pakistan, saying operational details cannot be shared as doing so will only help that country.

He said seeking proof of the operation in Balakot amounted to showing lack of confidence in the armed forces.

“The whole country is proud of our armed forces...The Air Force. When they have conducted air strikes deep inside Pakistan, raising doubt and asking for proof is actually helping Pakistan. Asking for proof amounts to not showing confidence in our Army and Air Force,” he said.

Mr Javadekar’s comments came in the backdrop of growing chorus by Opposition parties, especially Congress leaders, for showing evidence of the pre-emptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp by the Indian Air Force on February 26.

Mr Javadekar is in West Bengal’s Burdwan district to attend a meeting of the BJP’s intellectual cell.

When asked about the demand by some Opposition leaders that the government release evidence of the air strike, the human resource development minister said, “There are operational details which are never shared beacuse that will directly help Pakistan.

“There is a minimum decorum and it (the strike) should not be politicised the way Opposition parties are politicising (it).”

“The whole country stands united with our armed forces and Air Force. It is absolutely untenable that you ask about the details. Which plane? How they did it? Which bombs were used? You are asking for operational details which is untenable,” he said.

Several senior Congress leaders, including Digvijay Singh and Kapil Sibal, have sought proof of strike that was believed to have destroyed the biggest camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan.

“Modi ji must answer as the international media like New York Times, Washington Post, London-based Jane Information group, Daily Telegraph, the Guardian and Reuters, are reporting that there is no proof of militant losses at Balakot,” Mr Sibal said.