New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS): The Congress Monday attacked the ruling BJP over the Pakistani boat incident, asserting that every citizen has a right to question the government.

"We request the spokespersons of the BJP to stop making public relation events out of issues of national security," Congress spokesperson Randip Singh Surjewala told the media here.

"It is our right as the opposition to question the conflicting reports in the media," he said.

"Every citizen of this country has the right to question the government, the ruling party cannot brand them as Pakistanis," Surjewala said.

He, however, added that the Congress commended the "valiant efforts" of the Coast Guard in foiling such an incident.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday hit out at the Congress for seeking a probe into the Pakistani terror boat incident, saying that by raising questions about the matter the opposition party has touched a "new low" in politics.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Monday said occupants of the Pakistani vessel that blew up and sank off the coast of Gujarat were "suspected terrorists".

In was a chilling reminder of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, but the Indian Coast Guard in a dramatic chase intercepted and stopped the boat.

The vessel, which had set off from near Karachi on the eve of New Year, turned into a ball of fire and sank after its occupants, believed to be four in number, set fire to it early Jan 1.