‘Cowardly and calculated act of terror, Pakistan mastermind’: Congress condemns Pahalgam terror attack, calls for calm in face of provocation

The CWC resolution also said the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed and several others were injured, “has rightly drawn condemnation from all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir and from a wide cross-section of its citizens”.

Accusing the ruling BJP of trying to gain political mileage out of the tragedy, the CWC resolution said that “it is shocking that the BJP is exploiting this grave tragedy through official and proxy social media platforms to sow further discord, mistrust, polarisation and division at a time when unity and solidarity” are most needed.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and MP Priyanka Gandhi attended the CWC meeting.

“The deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country. We appeal for calm in the face of this grave provocation and reaffirm our collective strength in the face of adversity. The CWC appeals for calm and reaffirms the Indian National Congress’ longstanding resolve to combat cross-border terrorism with determination and unity,” said the resolution.

The CWC also paid tribute to the local pony operators and tourist guides in Kashmir, one of whom, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was killed while trying to protect the tourists.

The resolution noted that the Congress had, “in order to demonstrate the collective will of the nation”, called for an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday itself. “This meeting has now been scheduled for today (Thursday),” said the resolution. Leaders of Opposition in both houses of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi (Lok Sabha) and Mallikarjun Khage (Rajya Sabha), are set to attend the all-party meeting, according to Congress sources.

The Congress also called for a review of alleged intelligence failures and security lapses leading to the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Pahalgam is known to be a heavily guarded area, secured by a three-tier security arrangement. It is imperative that a comprehensive analysis is conducted into the intelligence failures and security lapses that enabled such an attack in a Union Territory — an area directly under the purview of the Union Home Ministry. These questions must be raised in the larger public interest. This is the only way justice can truly be seen to be served for the families whose lives have been so brutally devastated,” read the resolution.

The CWC resolution also noted that since the Amarnath Yatra is set to commence shortly, “robust, transparent, and proactive security arrangements” should be implemented without delay.

“Lakhs of pilgrims from across India participate in this annual journey, and their safety must be treated as a national priority… The safety of pilgrims, as well as the livelihoods of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom depend on tourism, must be protected with full sincerity and seriousness,” it said.