Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi stirred political controversy on Friday after appearing to question the authenticity of the 2016 surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. His remarks came in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, reigniting political tensions between the Congress and the BJP.
“Surgical Strike Could Not Be Seen”: Channi’s Remark
Speaking at a press conference following a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Channi stated that the surgical strike “could not be seen,” seemingly conflating the 2016 Uri response and the 2019 Balakot air strikes. He said, “If a bomb is dropped on our country, would we not know? They say we had conducted a surgical strike… nothing happened, the surgical strikes could not be seen, nobody found out.”
When asked if he was demanding proof, Channi added, “I have been demanding it since the beginning. But right now, we want justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack. The Centre must act.”
BJP’s Fierce Response
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded strongly, accusing the Congress of questioning the armed forces. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the statement, saying, “The Congress and the Gandhi family continue to question our Army and Air Force, despite even Pakistan acknowledging the strikes.”
“If you want proof so badly, visit Pakistan with Rahul Gandhi and check where the surgical strike was done,” Sirsa said mockingly.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also weighed in, alleging the Congress was “defending Pakistani terror.” Sharing Channi’s clip on X, he posted, “SICK! Congress continues to demoralize our forces at this critical time.”
Channi’s Clarification
As backlash intensified, Channi issued a clarification: “I never demanded proof. The Congress stands with the government like a rock in this hour of grief. If the government takes any action—whether it’s water disruption, air routes, or more—we fully support it.”
He added, “We want justice for the families of the victims. The issue now is unity and healing.”
Context: The 2016 Surgical Strike
The 2016 surgical strike was launched in response to the Uri terror attack, where four terrorists from Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked an Indian Army base, killing 19 soldiers. Days later, on September 29, 2016, Indian forces crossed the LoC and targeted terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, marking a bold shift in India’s counter-terrorism policy.
Congress’ Official Position
In its recent CWC resolution, the Congress urged the government to act decisively against Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack. The resolution read: “The masterminds and perpetrators of this cowardly attack must face full consequences. India must isolate and penalize Pakistan for its export of terror.”
It added, “This is not a time for politics but for unity, strength, and national resolve.”
Conclusion
While Channi’s initial comments raised eyebrows and sparked a political storm, his later retraction aligns with the broader Congress stance of supporting the government during national crises. The incident, however, underscores the fraught political climate in India over national security and the delicate balance between seeking accountability and expressing solidarity with the armed forces.
