New Delhi, Oct. 4: The Congress today gave out the dates on which surgical strikes were conducted during Manmohan Singh's tenure: September 1 in 2011, July 28 in 2013 and January 14 in 2014.
The dates were disclosed by communications chief Randeep Surjewala, who clarified that the Congress did not endorse Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam's view that there were doubts on whether India conducted such strikes across the Line of Control on September 28.
"The Congress has full faith in the bravehearts of Indian armed forces in conducting a surgical strike as we recognise that this is neither the first nor will be the last surgical strike conducted to defend the country and our people," he said.
"We are proud that even in the past, our forces have successfully conducted such surgical strikes on numerous occasions, particularly on 01.09.2011, 28.07.2013 and 14.01.2014, giving a befitting reply to the enemy."
Surjewala added: "In its maturity, wisdom and in the interest of national security, the Congress government avoided making loud claims for the effective response and action of the Indian army, which had the full support of the political leadership."
Earlier today, citing reports in the international media, Nirupam had said in Mumbai that there were doubts about the latest surgical strikes and the Modi regime should provide evidence to counter this.
Surjewala put the matter in the correct perspective when he said: "There has never been a reason to raise a question or doubt on the statements by the DGMO on surgical strikes.
"The government, however, needs to call the Pakistani bluff and false propaganda by using all information, evidence and instruments at the disposal of the Indian state."
Surjewala also stressed that any attempt to exploit the army's deeds for political gains would not be appreciated. "In a serious and challenging situation where Pakistan continues to export terror like in Baramulla yesterday and commit ceasefire violations, we would like to ask the Prime Minister if the immature and casual statements being made by the defence minister and other Union ministers have his sanction and support.
"We also urge the government to stop politicising the sacrifices and bravery of Indian soldiers for myopic political gains."
The Congress has slowly begun talking about the strikes in the UPA regime. A letter written by former MP Sandeep Dikshit to Manmohan Singh betrays the growing unease in the party about the BJP's projection of Modi as a strong Prime Minister only because of this operation.
Dikshit has entreated former Prime Minister Singh to shed his restraint and reveal the truth, if only to expose the fallacious propaganda about "your weakness".
Referring to some dates in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014 when cross-border operations were carried out, Dikshit wrote: "Is it true, sir? I do not doubt that your government and our army and other wings must have done us proud then.
"But I want to know this in black and white. I know that you are not given to speaking too much on defence matters, and so was the nature of the then defence minister (A.K. Antony)."
He continued: "Chidambaram also possibly took cue from a government that was carrying on with our stated policy of not announcing our covert and overt actions, both on the border and within Pakistan (PoK and rest of Pakistan included).
"So, here is what I have heard and I place it for you, and for your ministers, to tell us what really happened. I am informed that all through the period when the media was reporting cross-border firing from Pakistan, showing your government to be inactive and weak, in fact India was the aggressor on cross-border firings.
"While Pakistanis used a few guns and some shelling, we most often responded with big guns, including the Bofors, and have actually been the aggressor in this exchange."
