Strong message sent to Pakistan on terror: Sonia after surgical strikes

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said a "strong message" has been sent with the surgical strikes by Army against terror bases across the Line of Control (LoC) and insisted that Pakistan 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, Gandhi 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".

With the Uri terror attack apparently weighing heavily on her mind, Gandhi asked Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism that "it has supported and ensure that its territory and the territory under its control is not used for terrorist purposes against India".

"The party hopes that Pakistan will recognise that it bears a great responsibility in the continuing cross-border terrorist attacks against India," she said.

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

India conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads last night across the Line of Control (LoC) and inflicted significant casualties and heavy damage.

The announcement of the sudden action by the army to target terrorists was made by DGMO Lt Gen Ranveer Singh at a hurriedly called news conference during which External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup was also present.