Pahalgam attack: Important to stand united, defeat terrorism, says Rahul Gandhi in Kashmir

He met J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha and they briefed him on the situation. The Congress leader assured them of the full support of his party.

Gandhi was accompanied by senior leader and party general secretary (organisation), general secretary in-charge for J&K and MP Syed Naseer Hussain, J&K CLP leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir and others. His visit comes a day after India announced a raft of measures against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack and leaders across party lines pledged unconditional support to the government in whatever actions it may take against the perpetrators of the attack and their handlers.

Following his visit to the Valley, Gandhi said in a statement: “It’s been a terrible tragedy. I came here to get a sense of what’s going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible act and they are fully supportive of the nation at this time. I met one of the people who was injured (in the attack).”

“My love and affection goes out to everybody who has lost family members. I want everyone to know that the nation is standing together as one,” he said.

Referring to the all-party meeting in Delhi on Thursday, Gandhi said: “We had a meeting yesterday with the government and the united Opposition condemned these actions (Pahalgam terror attack) and expressed full support for whatever action the government takes.”

“The idea behind what has happened is to divide society, make brother fight brother,” he said. “It is crucial that every Indian stands united and defeats what the terrorists are trying to do. It’s sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in the rest of the country. I think it is very important to stand united to fight this nasty action and defeat terrorism once and for all,” the LoP said.