Condemning Monday’s terror attack in Dina Nagar town in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said terrorism was a national problem and has to be tackled by national policies.
“Terrorism is a national problem, it is not a State problem. It has to be tackled by national policies,” Badal said.
Four heavily armed terrorists wearing army uniform went on a rampage attacking a bus and a police station complex, leaving at least five persons dead, including a policeman, and several injured in Gurdaspur district bordering Pakistan.
Putting the onus on the Centre, Badal said the border should have been sealed if there was an input about an impending terror attack in Punjab. “The terrorists didn’t come from Punjab, they came from the border. If there was an input then it was their (Centre’s) job to seal the border..,” Badal said.
Citing ill-health, Badal said that as soon as he got to know about the “dastardly act”, he immediately asked DGP SS Saini to reach the spot and coordinate the operation.
He said that a red alert had been sounded across the State following the incident. “I am in regular touch with my officers. I am holding an emergency meeting with the State Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, officers of the Intelligence department and other officials to assess the situation,” he said.
He further said the officers were fighting bravely and will defeat the forces creating trouble with an iron hand. Later, the Chief Minister visited the local Guru Nanak Hospital and assured the injured of full support from the State.
Stating that Punjab would remain indebted to the martyrs, Badal also paid tributes to Superintendent of Police (SP) Baljeet Singh who was killed in the attack.