03 October 2016. Washington, DC: Calls of condemnation and demand for retributive action has been swift, following terror attacks on an army base in Indian Kashmir and in the suburbs of New York over last weekend. The alleged bomber in New York, who has since been arrested, had travelled multiple times to Pakistan and may have been radicalized there. On the other hand, the Indian state of Kashmir has been facing a wave of Pakistan sponsored militancy for more than two decades now.
Prime Minister Modi’s attempts at peace building with Pakistan, since coming to power in 2014, however have been thwarted with attacks in Pathankot, Gurdaspur and now in Uri, near the line of control, considered one of the most tumultuous regions in the world.
Meanwhile, the influential Indian American community has been persistent in its demands ‘to isolate and sanction’ Pakistan and reveal its duplicitous role in the ‘war against terror.’ Democratic Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, condemning the terror attack against the Indian Army Base in Uri, which resulted in the death of 18 Indian soldiers has called for the terrorists who perpetrated this cowardly act to be brought to justice. Republican Senator Tom Cotton said ‘the pre-dawn attack on Indian troops while they slept was a cowardly act, one that deserves the strongest condemnation.’
Yesterday, a bipartisan group of powerful American lawmakers has introduced a bill ‘Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act’ (HR 6069) in the US House of Representatives. Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Ted Poe, introducing the bill remarked “It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism.” He was joined by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of the Democratic Party, who is a ranking member of this influential Congressional Committee on terrorism.
Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC remarked, “USINPAC condemns the recent terror attacks in New York and the army base in Uri. Pakistan has to be called out on its role as a sponsor of terror. We appeal to all Indian Americans to sign the petition to make HR 6069 a reality. Join us in adding your voice to this demand.”
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community.
