Sena lampoons tour of Pakistan

The Shiv Sena, a key ally of the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance, has lampooned India's proposed tour of Pakistan, saying it is a "new feel-good message".

"Hand over cricket bats and balls to lakhs of Indian soldiers on the Indo-Pak border so that they could effectively counter the bombarding of their Pakistani counterparts," said a hard-hitting editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna on Monday.

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Making it clear that it is not criticising the policies or leadership of the NDA, the editorial said, "If by resuming cricket ties relations between the two countries can be normalised, what is the need for army personnel to guard India's borders in bunkers irrespective of rain, scorching heat and cold.

"It is a new feel-good message of protecting India's borders through the bat and ball," it said sarcastically.

The Sena's objection is to the "attitude" of Pakistan, which continues to support infiltration of terrorists and support designs in India, it commented.

India has taken the initiative in the past by starting the 'Samjhauta Express' and Lahore bus service but Pakistan has responded by shedding blood of Indians, the editorial added.