Shashi Tharoor Calls for Measured Response After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is urging calm and a thoughtful approach following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. This attack, which has been labeled the deadliest on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has understandably sparked outrage and calls for swift action.
Tharoor acknowledges that there were security lapses but emphasizes the need to avoid jumping to conclusions during an ongoing crisis. He draws a parallel to the recent Hamas attack on Israel, pointing out that even a country with a reputation for top-notch intelligence like Israel is not completely immune to such attacks. Tharoor believes that Israel’s decision to wait until the end of the conflict to demand accountability is a good example for India to follow.
He stresses that no nation can guarantee complete protection against terrorism and that focusing solely on failures overlooks the many threats that have been successfully thwarted.
The Congress party, while criticizing the BJP government for what they perceive as intelligence and security failures, has pledged its full support in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the investigation, meticulously examining eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence, and combing through the forests surrounding Pahalgam. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their efforts, cracking down on suspected terror sympathizers and demolishing houses linked to militants in the region.
India has responded to the attack with a series of strong measures. The Indus Waters Treaty has been suspended, Pakistani diplomats have been expelled, and the Attari-Wagah border crossing has been closed. Pakistan has voiced its opposition to the treaty suspension, calling it an “Act of War” and threatening to revoke all bilateral agreements. As of today, 509 Pakistani nationals have left India, and 745 Indians have returned from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border since Friday.
