Security lapses discussed, consensus on 'stricter action' against Pakistan: What happened at the all-party meeting on Pahalgam attack

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Following the Pahalgam terror attack, an all-party meeting was convened where opposition leaders pledged their support to the government’s counter-terrorism efforts. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed attendees on the attack and subsequent government decisions, while security lapses were discussed. Opposition leaders uniformly condemned the attack, emphasising the need for peace in Kashmir and urging the government to take decisive action against terrorism.

NEW DELHI: The much-awaited all-party meeting on Thursday concluded on a positive note as the opposition committed to support Centre’s every decision against terrorism. Giving a sneak peek of the high-level meet, BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said that Defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed the all-party meet on how Pahalgam attack took place and subsequent decision taken by the government in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting.

Union minister and BJP national president JP Nadda, home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister Nirmala Sitharmana, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, BJP leader Kiren Rijiju, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi were among other prominent leaders who attended the meeting.

Security lapses discussed: Rijiju

Rijiju, who attended the meet, said that Centre emphasised its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and expressed its intention to take strict action in this regard. He added that security lapses were also discussed during the meeting.

“In the beginning, defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke about the incident that took place in Pahalgam and shared the decisions taken by the government in the CCS meeting following the incident. He also spoke about the government’s stance of zero tolerance against terrorism. It was stated that the incident was very tragic, and the government has expressed its intention to take even stricter action going forward,” Rijiju said.

“For the past several years, the people of Kashmir had been conducting their businesses, tourists had been visiting, and everything was progressing well. This incident has disturbed that peaceful environment, and everyone has expressed their concern over it. All political parties shared their views and there was a consensus that the country should stand united and speak with one voice against terrorism,” he said.

‘All parties with government in fight against terrorism’

He also asserted that opposition has expressed its support to Centre and agreed that India should “fight against terrorism unitedly,” adding that India has taken strong action against terrorism in the past and will continue to do so.

“This has been discussed in the all-party meeting on behalf of the government. IB, home ministry officials gave information about the incident, how the incident happened and where the lapse happened,” he said.

“All parties said that they are with the government in this fight against terrorism. All political parties have given this message and the leaders of all parties have said in one voice that whatever step the government takes, we will support it. The meeting ended on a positive note,” Rijiju added.

The BJP leader added that the Pahalgam attack is very sad, and the country is worried. “Keeping this in mind, the government has also expressed its intention to take more stringent action today,” he said.

‘Opposition gave its full support’: Rahul Gandhi

After attending the all-party meeting convened by Centre, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, “We have uniformly condemned this act and the opposition gave its full support to the government to take any action.”

The Rae Bareli MP will visit Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Friday, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Gandhi, who was on an official visit to US, cut his trip short and returned to New Delhi early Thursday morning.

‘We all condemned the terror attack’: Kharge

“Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting. Amit Shah was also present. We all condemned the terror attack. We raised our concern to bring peace in Kashmir and said that we all need to make efforts for that,” said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after attending all-party meeting in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.

However, after attending the meeting, Kharge questioned the security lapse despite three-tier security. He criticised government for not acting promptly after the terror attack that claimed innocent lives of 26 people.

“It is very important for PM Modi to be present in such an important meeting because the decision taken by PM Modi is final. How did the security lapse happen despite three-tier security? This is a security lapse and the government did not act promptly in response to the terror attack. We will support the government’s decision in the nation’s best interest. We condemn this incident. We want to send a message that the nation is united,” he said.

False propaganda against Kashmiris should be stopped: Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said Centre should take action the nation that provides shelter to the terrorists, emphasising that international law also permits “us to do an air and naval blockade in self-defence against Pakistan and impose sanctions on Pakistan on arms sales.”

He further asked, “Why was the CRPF not deployed at the Baisaran meadow and why did the quick reaction team take one hour to reach there and they shot people by asking their religion.”

He stressed that “false propaganda against Kashmiris and Kashmiri students should be stopped” and condemned the attack.

“I condemn the way the terrorists killed people by asking about their religion,” he said.

Owaisi also praised Centre over its decision to suspend Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan but questioned, “where will we keep the water?”

“It is very good that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended but where will we keep the water? We will support whatever decision the central government takes. This is not a political issue,” he said.

Entire nation is angry: Sanjay Singh

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, “The entire nation is angry, sad and the nation wants the central government to give a befitting reply to the terrorists in their language. The way they have killed the innocent people, their camps should be destroyed and action should also be taken against Pakistan.”

“This incident took place on 22nd April and on 20th April, that place without the information of security agencies was opened. The security agencies had no information about it. We have demanded that the accountability needs to be fixed and action should be taken as to why there was a security lapse,” he added.

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