Overwhelming evidence to suggest Pak hand behind Gurdaspur attack: Arun Jaitley

 

"A view on continuing dialogue with Pakistan will be taken by government as part of diplomatic strategy," he said.

Jaitley also slammed the Congress for the statements made by Digvijay Singh and Shashi Tharoor following the execution of Yakub Memon, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

He said:  "Irresponsible statements by Congress leaders with regard to Mumbai blast accused are a cause of concern. We expect Sonia Gandhi to clarify before the nation."

Hours after Memon was hanged in Nagpur, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said he hopes that the Centre and the judiciary will also  show 'similar commitment' in all cases of terror.

"Yakub Memon hanged. Exemplary urgency and commitment has been shown by Govt and Judiciary in punishing an accused of Terror. I hope similar commitment of Govt and Judiciary would be shown in all cases of Terror irrespective of their Caste Creed and Religion," Singh tweeted.

"I have my doubts the way the cases of other Terror accused are being conducted. Let's see. Credibility of the Govt and Judiciary is at stake," he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor created a flutter saying he is saddened by the execution of Memon.
"Saddened by news that our government has hanged a human being. State-sponsored killing diminishes us all by reducing us to murderers too," Tharoor tweeted.

He, however, quickly posted another tweet claiming that he is not commenting on the merits of a specific case.  It was followed by two more tweets explaining his stand on the death sentence.

"I'm not commenting on the merits of a specific case: that's for the Supreme Court to decide. Problem is death penalty in principle&practice."

"We must fight against terrorism w/all the means at our command. But cold-blooded execution has never prevented a terror attack anywhere."

"There is no evidence that death penalty serves as a deterrent: to the contrary in fact. All it does is exact retribution: unworthy of a Govt," Tharoor said.

However, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the comments made by Tharoor was his personal view and not of the party.

Before Jaitley made the statement on Gurdaspur, Union Home Minister told the Rajya Sabha that  the terrorists who attacked Gurdaspur came from Pakistan.

Singh said: "Terrorists who attacked Gurdaspur came from Pak via Ravi river, says hints from GPS," he said while making a statement. .

The Minister said India will give a strong reply reply to those who are engaging in terror activities from across the border.

"The government is committed to give a befitting reply to those who try to undermine India's security. Any terror activity from across the border will be defeated," he said.