deshmukh-denies-claims-on-religion-in-pahalgam-attack

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Anil Deshmukh stirred a political debate on Thursday with his remarks regarding the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

 

He stated that there was no confirmed information about whether the gunmen had asked the religion of the tourists before killing them.

 

Speaking to news agency, Deshmukh said that only a detailed investigation would reveal the truth. He emphasised that there was no clarity on the attackers’ intentions or whether religion played a role in the targeting of the victims.

 

He condemned the tragic incident and expressed that the government had taken strong steps in response. Referring to recent actions taken by the authorities, including the postponement of the Indus Waters Treaty talks, Deshmukh called them necessary and appropriate steps under the circumstances.

 

Deshmukh also questioned the security and intelligence mechanisms in place. He pointed out that the attack took place nearly 200 kilometres away from the border, raising concerns about how terrorists managed to infiltrate such a region.

 

He labelled it a clear failure of the intelligence system and called for a thorough investigation to identify the gaps.

 

Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee also issued a strong statement condemning the terror attack. It expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

 

The Congress leadership criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes. In a resolution passed by the committee, the party said the BJP was using both official and proxy channels to create division and mistrust among communities.

 

The Congress described the attack as a "cowardly and calculated" act of terror. It directly blamed Pakistan, stating that the assault was not only on innocent people but also on the values of the Indian Republic.

 

The resolution further noted that the deliberate targeting of Hindu tourists appeared to be aimed at provoking unrest. The party urged the public to remain calm and not fall into the trap of those trying to spread hatred and discord.