Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot today (27) advised the media not to "generalise" the terrorist attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama.
The Union social justice and empowerment minister put yesterday's (26) attack in the category of "ikki dukki ghatnae" (isolated incidents).
"It will be better if you do not try and generalise on the basis of such isolated incidents," said Gehlot, when asked by reporters when such terror attacks will stop.
"Significant progress has been made in curbing the terror activities after Narendra Modi became prime minister," he said.
"After Modi became pm, we carried out surgical strikes. Now the government is working towards eliminating those who are funding terror activities. A large number of terrorists were killed in recent times," he said.
"Though some people are still active in two to three districts (of Jammu and Kashmir), they will also be eliminated in near future," Gehlot added.
The minister was here to attend a programme where assisting devices were distributed to disabled persons.
Eight security personnel, including four CRPF men, were killed in Pulwama after three militants launched a deadly suicide attack yesterday.
A CRPF jawan from the city, Dinesh Borase, was among those killed.
Gehlot's statement drew a sharp reaction from the Congress.
"Gehlot's statement was nothing short of an insult to the supreme sacrifice of our martyrs. If the pm has any sympathy for our martyrs, he must sack Gehlot immediately," said Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, who visited Borase's family today.
State Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki also slammed the BJP.
"The BJP and its government were never concerned about country's citizens or the soldiers. After getting their votes, BJP leaders always try to play down such attacks as routine incidents," said Solanki.
