Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Apr 25: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the entire opposition stands firmly behind the government in its response to the terror incident in Pahalgam that left over two dozen people dead and several injured.
Addressing a quickly arranged presser in Srinagar alongside Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra and senior Congress leader G A Mir, Gandhi said, “We had a meeting yesterday with the government. The united opposition condemned this attack and assured full support for whatever action the government wants to take.”
Gandhi, who arrived in the valley Friday morning, expressed solidarity with the victims and said the intention behind the attack was to divide society. “It is very important that every single Indian stands united. We must defeat what the terrorists are trying to do,” he said.
The Congress leader said that he met one of the injured victims and was also briefed on the situation by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister J&K.
“My love and affection is for everyone who lost their family members. The whole nation is standing together as one,” Gandhi said, adding that targeting innocent people or specific communities in the aftermath of such attacks only helps the agenda of terrorism.
Stressing the need for communal harmony and cautioning against targeting innocent people from Kashmir. “It is sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in other parts of the country. We must stand together and defeat terrorism once and for all,” he said.
Gandhi also visited the Army Hospital in the Badamibagh Cantonment area of Srinagar, where he met one of the injured tourists.
As per Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi met various delegations, including those from the party and trade and tourism sectors.
On his arrival on Friday, Gandhi was received by JKPCC President, Tariq Hameed Karra and senior leader G.A. Mir at the airport.
