Not conducive time to withdraw AFSPA: Rajnath

Attari (Punjab), March 23 (IANS) Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that this was not the right time for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The remark came following two latest incidents of fidayeen (suicide squads) attacking a police station and an army establishment in the Jammu sector close to the border with Pakistan.

"AFSPA ko samapta karne ke abhi halaat nahin hai (The situation is not conducive to ending AFSPA)," Rajnath Singh said while addressing media here on Sunday evening.

The home minister questioned Pakistan on why it was turning green fields red by supporting terrorism.

He said it was high time for Pakistan to introspect its actions in supporting terrorism.

Rajnath Singh was here to lay the foundation stone of a new visitors’ gallery at the Attari joint check post (JCP) and also to mark the culmination of a 2,300-km all-women Border Security Force (BSF) Camel Safari from the Gujarat border till here.

"Pakistan should contain terrorism and stop green fields from turning into red," Rajnath said while addressing visitors at the Attari joint check post (JCP) along the India-Pakistan international border, 30 km from Amritsar.

He said India was capable of protecting its borders completely from any attempt of infiltration from the Pakistan side.

"Our security forces have given a befitting reply to every ceasefire violation and infiltration bid from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. We will continue to do that."

Asked about the recent attacks on churches in various parts of the country, the home minister said all minority communities were secure in India.

"Action is being taken as per law for all the incidents. There is no need to create a sense of fear among minorities," he said.