The retreat ceremonies, where flags of both countries are lowered at the Joint Check Posts in Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadqui, were also held under tight security on Saturday. “The BSF personnel were put on high alert all across border and for the retreat ceremonies to check any likely misadventures of Pak-based militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Tehrik-e-Taliban,” BSF Deputy Inspector General R P S Jaswal said.
“Being a weekend, the number of visitors is more when compared to normal days so we had to take extra precautionary measures. At the end of the day, it was all normal during the ceremonies,” Jaswal added.
Malerkotla welcomes Guru execution
Ludhiana:Residents and Muslim organisations of Malerkotla have stated that Parliament convict Afzal Guru deserved his punishment even as security was beefed up in the Muslim-dominated town following Guru’s execution on Saturday morning.
“Afzal deserved this punishment and once his petition was rejected by the President, there was no question of any mercy. His offences were proved and hence he has been punished as per law,” Mufti Faizal Ur-Rehman, a member of the Muslim Personal Law Board, said. The town remained calm after the execution.
Meanwhile, various other organisations have also welcomed the hanging. “Terrorists do not deserve mercy and fast track court, like the ones being set up deal with crimes against women, should be established to tackle the problem,” the general secretary of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front, Yogesh Dewan, said.
As news of the execution filtered in on Saturday morning, the Ludhiana District Congress Committee (Urban) president Pawan Dewan welcomed the hanging of the Parliament attack convict. He added that by hanging Guru, the Congress-led UPA government has made it clear that it will not compromise on the nation’s security.
Punjab Cong hails hanging
Chandigarh:The Punjab Congress on Saturday welcomed the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, saying that the attack was a “highly provocative” act, which needed to be dealt with an iron fist. “The people of Punjab and the Congress welcome the hanging, which should send a message loud and clear to everyone that such acts of assault on the country will be deemed as acts of war and dealt with accordingly,” PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh said. WITH PTI
‘Centre has sent a strong message’
BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla Saturday said that by hanging Afzal Guru, convicted of involvement in the attack on Parliament in 2001, the government has given a strong message against terrorism. In a statement, Chawla said Guru was an enemy of the country. “This (hanging) was much delayed. This would send a signal to terrorists and traitors that those who wage a war against India have no right to live. Prior to this, terrorists have seen what happened to Ajmal Kasab,” Chawla said.