As expected, the politics over the air strike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deep inside Pakistani territory has intensified. Both the BJP and the opposition parties led by the Congress are hurling allegations at each other of politicizing the air strike. BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah have been using the matter of the air strike at various political rallies to target opposition parties. They are trying to milk it for their political gains. The rattled opposition parties are hitting back by accusing the BJP of politicizing the valour of the armed forces.
The foreign media have been skeptical of the achievement of the air strike. Some of them claimed that not much damage has been caused to the JeM facilities. The opposition parties are quoting foreign media reports to question the success of the air strike and are putting pressure on the government to release proof. The politics over the air strike is unfortunate. The IAF has done a commendable job of punishing JeM terrorists in their own den. No one should question their capability and credibility. The political parties should not try to gain mileage from the IAF strike on a terror camp because it concerns national security. It is the duty of the ruling government to extend support to the armed forces to carry out their duty. Therefore, Modi and Co have no moral right to brag about the air strike. There was need to respond following the killing of 40 security personnel in the Pulwama bombing. The military has done its job brilliantly. The political parties should let the armed forces take the credit for it.