India is vilifying us, says Islamabad after PM Modi exhorts Pakistani people to stand against terror

Pakistan on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of maligning its image in the wake of Uri terror attack, which was carried out by terrorists from across the Line of Control. Modi's remarks made at BJP conclave at Kozhikode in Kerala on Saturday, that Pakistan was exporting terror to the world, has ruffled Islamabad.

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Reacting to PM's charge, Pakistan Foreign Office said that Modi's statement was part of "well thought out vilification campaign."

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"It is unfortunate that Indian leadership continues to indulge in a well thought out vilification campaign against Pakistan by making provocative statements and baseless accusations. Such irresponsible display of behaviour at the highest political level is regrettable," the Foreign Office said.

It further said that the prime minister was "trying to distract world attention from the atrocities perpetrated" by its forces in Kashmir." Pakistan again called slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani a youth leader.

MODI LIKENS URI ANGER TO 1965

Earlier in the day, addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme, 'Man ki Baat', prime minister Narendra Modi likened the anger in the country over Uri attack to that witnessed during 1965 war.

He read out a message of an 11th standard student, who had expressed anger over the Uri incident and had the desire to do something over it. After lot of thinking, he had resolved to give extra three hours to studies every day as his contribution to the country.

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Appreciating the school student's "constructive thinking", the PM said, "There is a lot of value to the anger that people of the country have. This is a symbol of the country's awakening. This anger is of the kind of 'do something'. When 1965 war (with Pakistan) broke out and Lal Bahadur Shastri was leading the country, similar was the feeling, anger in the country. There was fever of nationalism."

'SOLDIERS ACT, DON'T SPEAK'

The PM on Sunday maintained that those responsible for the terror strike would surely be punished.

Paying tributes to the 18 soldiers, who lost their lives in Uri attack on September, 18, Modi said, "This cowardly act was enough to shake the entire country. There is mourning as well as anger in the country."

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In his monthly radio programme, the prime minister said, "We are proud of our army. People and politicians get opportunities to speak and that's what they do. But the army does not speak. The army displays its bravery."

He also sent out a message to the people of Kashmir, saying that "peace, unity and harmony" are the ways to resolve problems and expressed confidence that all issues can be addressed through discussions.

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