Major Credit Goes to PM For Surgical Strikes: Defence Minister

New Delhi: Amidst allegations of government politicising the surgical strikes in POK, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian army for the strikes against terrorists in PoK.

Parrikar first said,"The credit must be given to army." But elaborated further, crediting both the PM and himself for the decision to allow army to carry out the surgical strikes.

"Major share of credit must go to the PM. I will also share the credit for decision-making ability and planning," said the Minister.

The Opposition was quick to take umbrage and once again charged the BJP government of politicising the issue.

Congress' Manish Tewari also thought that Parrikar's conduct was not becoming of a minister.

"Parrikar does not deserve to be the Defence Minister of the country," said Tewari.

Earlier on Tuesday, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his annual Vijayadashami address, praised the Indian army and the government for taking strong measures in the wake of the Uri terror attack.

"I congratulate our government and our brave soldiers and all the wings of our armed forces who through an efficient and expert move have given a firm and befitting reply to this attack," he said in a reference to the surgical strikes on terror launchpads which the Indian Army carried out across the LoC.

Speaking at the end of his UP tour, Rahul Gandhi had hit out at Modi accusing him of "hiding behind the blood of soldiers" and said that he was politically exploiting their sacrifices.

"Jinhone Hindustan ke liye surgical strike kiye hain, unke khoon ke peeche aap chhupe hain. Unki aap dalali kar rahe ho. Yeh bilkul galat hai. (You are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong)," Rahul had said.

BJP President Amit Shah criticised Rahul's statement saying it crossed all limits and was an insult to the country's soldiers.

“Rahul Gandhi's statement shows the Congress mentality. The Congress is trying to bring our Army’s morale down. The BJP will not do such things. We believe in our armed forces,” Shah said.

In his first remarks after the cross LoC anti-terror strike, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar compared Pakistan's condition to an "anaesthetised patient" after a surgery and said like Hanuman Indian Army has recognised its prowess.