Mumbai: Maharashtra leaders, cutting across party lines, welcomed the Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes against terror groups operating from Pakistan’s safe havens, in an early morning operation in Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakoti regions of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). In the state legislature, all parties unanimously passed the congratulatory motion moved by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government.
Moving the motion in the assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ‘kept his word’ when he had said the sacrifice of 40 CRPF troopers killed in the Pulwama terror strike would not go in vain. “The armed forces have shown their strength and proved what they can do to avenge our soldiers’ lives. The camps where Pakistan was training terrorists to send to India have been completely destroyed,” Fadnavis said.
The leader of the House, Chandrakant Patil moved the motion in the council. Leader of the Opposition Dhananjay Munde said, firm and sustainable steps need to be taken by the government to ensure care of the families of soldiers.” Shiv Sena MLC, Dr Neelam Gorhe hoped democracies across the world would support the strikes by the Indian Air Force and the fight against terrorism would continue.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and former union defence minister Sharad Pawar lauded the IAF for the strikes, saying India’s defence force had done citizens proud. Targeting PM Modi, Pawar said the IAF had carried out such strikes earlier also, but there was no politicisation of the same.
“The credit always went to the Army. Now, if the credit is being given to Modi, then credit should also be given to the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat,” he said. Shiv Sena’s Member of Parliament and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “I salute the bravery of the IAF pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan.”
State Congress President Ashok Chavan said, “Salute to our brave fighters of IAF. Jai Hind!” He lauded the IAF fighters for always raising to the occasion to ensure the safety and security of Indians. State Samajwadi Party President Abu Asim Azmi waved the National Tricolour, and celebrated it by distributing sweets and in Vidhan Bhavan who also lauded the IAF anti-terror strikes in POK.
Muslims in Mumbai and elsewhere, celebrated the IAF action, by offering a special ‘shukrana namaz’ (thanksgiving prayer) in different city mosques, said All India Muslim Minority Front president Asif Bhamla.