New Delhi: The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has triggered a fierce political debate, with senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar casting doubts on the Centre’s handling of the crisis and its efforts to hold Pakistan accountable on the global stage.
Addressing the media, Aiyar criticised the government, stating, “Among the 33 delegations sent to various countries, not a single one has openly blamed Pakistan for the Pehalgam attack. Even the United Nations and the United States have refrained from naming Pakistan, while we continue to be the lone voice accusing them.”
The former Union Minister further added, “We have failed to establish which agency orchestrated the attack in Pahalgam. We keep blaming Pakistan, but no one takes us seriously without concrete evidence.”
The government and security agencies, however, have maintained that the attack was orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, with the slain militants reportedly receiving training and funding from Pakistan. Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that under ‘Operation Mahadev,’ three Lashkar terrorists—Suleman, Afghani, and Jibran (a top commander)— were neutralised in the forests of Jammu & Kashmir, terming the action as a decisive response to terror.
Despite these claims, Aiyar questioned the international response, noting, “No country has openly condemned Pakistan’s role. Institutions like the UN and the US have remained silent. India has not presented any solid forensic or intelligence-based proof to the world.”
The attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, during the peak tourist season, sent shockwaves across the nation. Militants targeted tourists enjoying the scenic valley, resulting in 26 fatalities and leaving many others injured. Government reports attributed the strike to Pakistan-sponsored militants, intensifying diplomatic efforts to expose Islamabad’s hand.
As the government asserts it has laid out evidence before the world, opposition leaders like Aiyar remain sceptical, underscoring a growing divide over India’s strategy to counter terrorism and rally international support.
The fallout from the Pahalgam tragedy continues to spark debate over both India’s internal security measures and its diplomatic outreach in the fight against cross-border terrorism.
Comments are closed.