Home Minister Rajnath Singh with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Fatehgarh Sahib. (PTI photo)
In a clear reference to Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the neighbouring country is trying to destabilise India even as he announced that a committee will be sent to Pampore to look into any lapses in the handling of the terror attack that left eight CRPF personnel dead.
Showering praise on security men for successfully eliminating two terrorists involved in yesterday's attack, he said, "I have asked the Home Secretary to send a two-member committee to Pampore to look into any lapses so that we can correct it in the future and our jawans do not face martyrdom in such incidents.
"I want to praise the bravery of our security men. I salute their courage. Terrorists attacked them (security men) deceitfully. But our security men killed those two terrorists successfully," he said addressing a function to mark the 300th martyrdom anniversary of legendary Sikh Warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Fatehgarh Sahib.
The home minister said Indian youth should stand up to face forces which want to destabilise the country.
"An attempt is being made by these terrorists and our neighbouring country to destabilise India. I call upon Indian youth to stand up to face such forces and we should greet and welcome the bravery of our security people and the way they are working with such valour and courage," said Mr Singh without naming any country.
The home minister said, "India cannot forget those security men who got martyred. They are not with us now and we pay our tributes to them."
In the deadliest attack on security forces in recent years, eight CRPF personnel were killed and 21 others critically wounded yesterday when terrorists rained bullets on a bus carrying them at Pampore, in Kashmir.
The minister stressed that the country needed brave and courageous people to face the current challenge.
"But this period is going on and we need brave people in this time like Banda Singh Bahadur who were ready to lay down their lives for the country and society. Such people can protect the nation," he said.
He noted that people should take inspiration from people like Banda Singh Bahadur. "Today our country is facing many challenges and to win over these challenges, we can take inspiration from life of people like Banda Singh Bahadur," he said.