'Attack on IAF convoy stuntbaazi, pre-planned to help BJP': Ex-Punjab CM & Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi
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IAF convoy terror attack: Stooping down in the guise of politics, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi blatantly claimed that the attack by terrorists on an Indian Air Force vehicle in J&K's Poonch on May 4 was pre-planned to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He went on to dub it as "stuntbaazi."
Notably, one soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an IAF convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.
Stuntbaazi by BJP
Reacting to the IAF convoy attack, Charanjit Singh Channi stoked a controversy after he said that the attack was a pre-election stunt by the BJP. "These are all stunts and not terrorist attacks. There is no truth in it. The BJP is playing with the lives of people and bodies," Mr Channi said while campaigning in Jalandhar, from where he is contesting.
"These attacks are not really happening but just meant to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party... Whenever elections take place, such stunts are played – like it happened last time," he added, pointing to the 2019 Pulwama attack.
In Patna, Tej Pratap Yadav toed a similar line. "Whenever elections come, Pulwama and terrorist attacks take place," he said.
"These attacks are not really happening but just meant to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party... Whenever elections take place, such stunts are played – like it happened last time," he added, pointing to the 2019 Pulwama attack.
In Patna, Tej Pratap Yadav toed a similar line. "Whenever elections come, Pulwama and terrorist attacks take place," he said.
Ghastly statement by CWC member Channi belittling the valour of our brave soldiers is no less a crime and an insult to nation. Channi's shameful statement on the attack on our Air Force personnel in Poonch calling their valour as a stunt shows the bankruptcy and frustration of…
— Sunil Jakhar(Modi Ka Parivar) (@sunilkjakhar) May 5, 2024
However, his statement was in stark contrast to that of Congress President Malikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
Kharge yesterday extended condolences over the death of personnel of the Indian Air Force in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. "Deeply pained by the cowardly terror attack on the IAF vehicle in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. We strongly and unequivocally condemn this dastardly terror attack and join the nation in standing together against terrorism. Our deepest condolences to the family of the brave air warrior who made the supreme sacrifice. We hope that the injured air warriors recover at the earliest and earnestly pray for their well-being. India is united for our soldiers," he said on X.
Rahul Gandhi too had condemned the attacks yesterday. "The cowardly terrorist attack on our Army convoy in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and sad. I pay my humble tribute to the martyred soldier and express my condolences to his bereaved family. I hope that the soldiers injured in the attack recover as soon as possible," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
IAF convoy terror attack
Five IAF personnel were injured in the attack on Saturday evening in Poonch and one of them later succumbed to injuries at a military hospital. The attackers are believed to have fled to a forest after the attack, sources said. Besides AK assault rifles, the terrorists also used a USmade M4 carbine and steel bullets to cause maximum casualties, the officials added. Teams of Para Commandos have been deployed in the search operation. The IAF has identified the deceased IAF personnel as Corporal Vikky Pahade and expressed condolences to his family.
The area where the attack took place falls between Surankote's Sanai Top and Mendhar's Gursai area in the border district.