26/11 attackers killed, Pahalgam terrorists free: Cong

New Delhi

On Wednesday, Congress criticised the government’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, contrasting it with the reaction after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that after 26/11, India received strong international support because the attackers were killed or arrested. But after the recent Pahalgam attack, the government is only sending diplomatic teams abroad and preparing dossiers while the terrorists remain free.

Ramesh also slammed the BJP for focusing attacks on Rahul Gandhi instead of confronting Pakistan and China. He reminded that prominent BJP leaders once praised Mohammad Ali Jinnah and that former Prime Minister Morarji Desai received Pakistan’s highest civilian honor during Vajpayee’s tenure as external affairs minister.

Questioning the government, Ramesh asked why the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, have not been arrested even after a month. He said arresting and questioning the terrorists is the real priority, not just diplomatic efforts.

His comments come amid ongoing verbal clashes between Congress and BJP, with both parties accusing each other of betraying the nation over the India-Pakistan conflict. Congress has accused External Affairs Minister Jaishankar of warning Pakistan about Operation Sindoor, leading to escaped terrorists and plane losses.

Tensions rose after the Pahalgam attack, prompting Indian strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with attacks on Indian bases, but hostilities stopped after military talks on May 10.