Will there be surgical strikes against China: Shiv Sena on Ladakh stand-off

Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Saturday asked the Centre if there will be a similar action against China, like the Indian Army's surgical strikes on terror launch pads at the LoC in September.

"The time has come to look at Chinese incursions (in Indian territory) seriously. Surgical strikes against China, similar to the ones carried out against Pakistan, will be the befitting answer," the Sena said.

"Will there be such an attack (against China)," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana asked.

"When one speaks against Pakistan in public rallies, one gets claps as a response. There is a need to get out of this mindset of clapping and look at the Chinese incursions seriously," the Sena said.

"From Ladakh to Arunachal and Sikkim, the Chinese actions have been going on unabated since several years. The real question is who will stop China," the editorial said.

The Sena referred to reports that Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a stand-off since Wednesday in Ladakh's Demchok area as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops entered an area near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and stopped the construction work on an irrigation canal under the MNREGA scheme.

"Around 60 Chinese soldiers intrude in our territory and stop developmental work. What inference should one draw from this," it said.

"Our loudmouth Defence Minister should clarify what action did our soldiers take against these Chinese troops," the editorial said.

"Warning Pakistan is not enough. The Defence Minister's job is also to protect the borders with China," the Sena said.