Have Not Signed Up To Sing Tribute About Uri Soldiers: Amitabh Bachchan

Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan has not signed on to sing a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Pakistani terror attack at Uri in Kashmir, the actor told reporters today on his 74th birthday.

Mr Bachchan said that an MP had mooted the idea to him, but the discussion ended there.

Nineteen soldiers were killed after four terrorists from across the border attacked the army base at Uri on September 18. On September 29, the army revealed it had carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control against terrorists who were readying to enter India and attack major cities.

After initially expressing firm support and appreciation of the action, the opposition Congress and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have asked for proof of the cross-border raids, suggesting this would upend Pakistan's denial of the strikes. Sources have said that the operation was filmed, and that whether to release the footage will be a "political and diplomatic call" by the government.

The Congress has also said that while it was in power, similar strikes were carried out thrice, but that its government did not publicize the action to preserve crucial secrecy for the army's operations as well as to avoid aggravating Pakistan into retaliation.

When asked about the divide in Bollywood about whether to ban Pakistani artistes during this period of extreme Indo-Pak tension, Mr Bachchan replied, "This is not the time to discuss these matters. People are very angry in this country (with terror attacks), we must show solidarity with the jawans who ensure we are all safe here."