Sharad Pawar alleges Pakistan officials attended terrorists' funerals

Amid rising IndiaPakistan tensions NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said the presence of Pakistani government officials at the funerals of the terrorists killed during Operation Sindoor contradicts the countrys denial of involvement in terrorist activities in India reported news agency PTIPawar said that while India is facing a grave crisis the country is fully capable of responding to it with the strength of its defence forcesThe octogenarian leader was speaking at a programme to commemorate the 66th death anniversary of social activist and educator Bhaurao Patil at the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in SataraHis daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who heads the NCP were also present reported PTIIndia has never supported terrorist movements What is happening is a result of terrorist activity Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives Despite Pakistans denials its complicity is evident Representatives of their government were present during the funerals of terrorists killed in Indian strikes in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK If their government had no role what explains their officials attending these funerals Pawar asked reported PTIHe said India has always championed peace a stance repeatedly underlined by the prime minister and other leadersHowever he stressed that preemptive measures which are currently being taken become necessary when the safety of citizens is at stakeOur armed forces are taking the necessary precautions After witnessing their performance every Indian feels proud Today the Indian defence forces are ready to face any situation he said reported PTIReferring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh who have been briefing the media on Operation Sindoor Pawar lauded the increasing participation of women in the armed forces recalling a decision taken during his tenure as the defence ministerWhen I was the defence minister I had raised the issue of women taking lead roles in the armed forces Initially all three service chiefs rejected the idea But in the fourth meeting I asserted that there should be at least nine per cent representation of women in the armed forces he said reported PTIPawar said of the two women officers who are briefing the nation on the situation at the border one belongs to the Muslim community This shows that people regardless of their faith are willing to make any sacrifice for the unity and integrity of our nation he saidIndiaPakistan tensions have escalated after Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK including the JaisheMohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and LashkareTaibas base in Muridke in retaliation for the Pahalgam attackWith inputs from ANIatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params