Congress backs strikes on terror bases Congress backs strikes on terror bases

Sonia Gandhi, head of India's main opposition party Congress, yesterday said a "strong message" has been sent with the surgical strikes by the army against terror bases in Pakistan across the Line of Control (LoC) and insisted that Islamabad bears a "great responsibility" in the continuing cross-border attacks in India.

Offering the party's support to the government in the battle against terror, Sonia said in a statement that "this is a strong message that conveys our country's resolve to prevent further infiltration and attacks on our security forces and our people".

Gandhi asked Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism and ensure that its territory is not used for terrorist purposes against India".

Congratulating the armed forces on the success, she said the party stands by the government in its actions to protect the country's security and deal with the menace of terrorism from across the border.