Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday hailed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman saying every Indian was proud of him and lashed out at political rivals for suspecting the armed forces which, he said, helped Pakistan.
Modi also hit out at the previous Congress-led UPA government for allegedly "blocking," surgical strikes post 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.
After inaugurating several government projects here, Modi said "I am proud that India's first woman Defence Mininster Nirmala ji is from Tamil Nadu.
Every Indian is proud that the brave wing commander Abhinandan belongs to Tamil Nadu."
However, he said, it was sad that a few political parties "suspect our fight against terror."
"They should clarify- do they believe our armed forces or they believe those forces who support terrorism on our soil?
Citing reports, the prime minister said though the Indian Air Force wanted to carry out surgical strikes post 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "UPA blocked it."