PM Modi slams Sam Pitroda's comment on airstrike, says 'opposition insults forces'

The Prime Minister tweeted, "Opposition insults our forces time and again. I appeal to my fellow Indians- question Opposition leaders on their statements. Tell them- 130 crore Indians will not forgive or forget the Opposition for their antics. India stands firmly with our forces."

What prompted Modi to attack Opposition?

Modi responded after Pitroda, a close aid of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, said it would be unfair to blame an entire nation for the activities of few people with a reference to the recent Pulwama terror attack that had left at least 40 Indian paramilitary personnel martyred.

Pitroda also asked for more proofs of the airstrike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a response to the Pulwama attack.

Modi had hit out at the Congress leader saying, "Loyal courtier of Congress’ royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!"

Not just Pitroda but Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav also courted a controversy by accusing the government of letting the paramilitary personnel martyred to gain votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Not sparing the SP leader too, Modi, who will spearhead ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s poll campaign, tweeted, "Opposition is the natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners of our armed forces. This reprehensible statement by a senior leader like Ram Gopal Ji insults all those who have given their lives in protecting Kashmir. It humiliates the families of our martyrs."

Where the airstrike was conducted?

The airstrike was conducted across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

How many terrorists were killed in the airstrike?

Though BJP chief Amit Shah had claimed over 250 terrorists were killed due to the airstrike, the IAF said it is not possible for them to count the number of militants killed.

BJP leader links airstrike with elections:

A row had erupted after former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader, BS Yeddyurapa, said the airstrike would help his party to win 22 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the southern state, which is presently ruled by the Congress-Janata Dal Secular alliance.