Country’s leadership capable of reacting to any act of terror, says Doval

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on March 19 that the leadership of the country is fully capable to deal with any act of terror and against those who abet it.

“I can assure you that the country’s leadership is very capable to effectively respond to such acts (Pulwama) of terrorism and those who aide it,” he said.

Speaking to the audience at the 80th raising day of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Doval also said that India has not forgotten and will not forget the terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, where 40 CRPF jawans were killed on February 14.

“What should we do? What should be our way, our aim and our response and time to respond? The country’s leadership is both capable and courageous to (do) that. The country will tackle all such challenges and we have the courage to do this,” he said.

The national security advisor also paid tributes to the 40 jawans that were killed in Pulwama, and said it was a “very sad accident” and said the country will always be indebted to these personnel and their families.

The CRPF, he said, has to take a lead role in ensuring peace and law and order. “As the lead internal security force of the country, the CRPF has an onerous task on its shoulders to render the duties.”

Doval said the force was “unparalleled” and that it should not look back but enhance its capabilities. “If your morale is high, then the country’s future is safe.”

Doval, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is believed to be the person behind the planning of the air strike on the camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad.

This is for the first time that Doval has said anything on the Pulwama terror attack that was followed by the Balakot airstrike by the Indian Air Force on training camps of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan based group, in Pakistan’s Balakot.