No nation condemned Pakistan for Pahalgam attack; isn’t it foreign policy failure: Maken

Congress leaders at the Jai Hind Sabha in Shimla today accused the BJP of using armed forces and their operations for petty political gains. “The Indian armed forces had carried out surgical strikes even when the Congress was in power, but unlike the current government, our party governments had never taken credit for these strikes,” said Ajay Maken, AICC treasurer. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, AICC in-charge for Himachal Rajni Patil, HPCC president Pratibha Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and other ministers were present on the occasion. Maken said that all countries had condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack but no one condemned Pakistan for the heinous crime. “Is this not a failure of our foreign policy? In 1971, no country other than America had stood with Pakistan, but today no country is condemning Pakistan,” he added. The Chief Minister paid heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers of the state and the nation. “Today is a day to salute the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, who laid down their lives for the country. Our soldiers never hesitated to sacrifice their lives for the nation. Himachali soldiers have the honour of being decorated with four Param Vir Chakras, which is a testament to the state’s legacy of courage and sacrifice,” he added. Sukhu slammed the Central Government for declaring a ceasefire without taking the armed forces into confidence. “It was shocking that the announcement of the ceasefire came from a third country through social media. This is in stark contrast to the decisive leadership of former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi,” he added. War veterans, family members of martyrs and various gallantry award recipients were honoured at the function. Rajni Patil asked on what terms and conditions the ceasefire was reached. “The ceasefire announced by a third country was unfortunate,” she added. Pratibha recalled how Indira Gandhi had divided Pakistan into two parts in 1971 and Pakistani soldiers were forced to surrender. “Soldiers from every district of the state go to serve the country. The party has decided to organise such programmes at the district level as well,” she added. Agnihotri said that the brave soldiers from the state had received 1,203 gallantry awards so far, including four Param Vir Chakras, two Ashok Chakras, 10 Mahavir Chakras, 25 Kirti Chakras, 57 Vir Chakras and 99 Shaurya Chakras. Sukhu honours kin of martyrs, war veterans

  • Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented a cheque for Rs 30 lakh to the kin of Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Sindoor
  • Subedar Major Pawan’s father Garaj Singh and son Abhishek received the cheque
  • A cheque for Rs 15 lakh was given to Jamila, wife of Kirti Chakra recipient Naik Dilbar Khan and for Rs 10 lakh to Bharat Lakshmi, wife of martyr Havildar Rohit Kumar
  • Besides, several other soldiers and the kin of martyrs were honoured at the function

Himachal Tribune