Uproar in Parliament over Antony statement
New Delhi: Both Houses Parliament witnessed acrimonious scenes on Wednesday when a united Opposition hauled the UPA Government over the coals seeking Defence Minister A K Anotny's apology for his controversial statement on the floor of the House that almost gave a clean chit to the Pakistan Army for killing five Indian soldiers. His statement also contradicted the stand taken by the Indian Army.
Leading the charge, Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj slammed the Defence Minister and said he owes an apology to the country for the contradictory remark. "Antony has given needless clean chit to Pakistani army," she said.
She also demanded a statement from the Prime Minister on the issue.
Making a suo motu statement in both the Houses of Parliament, Antony had on Tuesday said an Indian Army patrol, comprising one Non-Commissioned Officer and five other ranks, was “ambushed on our side” of the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. “The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily-armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan army uniform,” he said.
Meanwhile, Defence spokesman, Jammu, S.N. Acharya said the Indian Army patrol was ambushed by a Pakistan Border Action Team(BAT). "A patrol of Indian Army comprising of one Non- Commissioned Officer and five other ranks was ambushed by a Pak Border Action Team (BAT) close to the Line of Control in Poonch Sector of J&K early morning", he said in an official statement.
"In the ensuing firefight, five Indian soldiers were martyred. The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed terrorists along with soldiers of Pak Army," he said.
With the government clearly on the back foot, Prime Minister broke his silence by calling senior BJP leaders for a meeting this evening.
But the PM chose to step in only after Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi hauled Pakistan for its dastardly attack, signalling a divide between the party and the government.
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