Opposition stands firmly behind Armed Forces on Pahalgam revenge 

Opposition parties and the ruling BJP on Wednesday united behind the Armed Forces on their military response against Pakistan to avenge the killings of 26 defenceless tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi saluted the forces, as did Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and NCP-SP's Sharad Pawar.

Kharge said India has an unflinching national policy against all forms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"We are extremely proud of our Indian Armed Forces who have stuck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. We applaud their resolute resolve and courage. Since the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian National Congress has categorically stood with the Armed Forces and the government to take any decisive action against cross border terror.

National unity and solidarity is the need of the hour and the Indian National Congress stands with our Armed Forces. Our leaders have shown the path in past, and National Interest is supreme for us," said Kharge.

Rahul Gandhi said "Proud of our Armed Forces. Jai Hind!".

In a message Sharad Pawar tweeted that every Indian has full faith in the Indian Army, which protects India's sovereignty by taking bullets to its chest. "Today, proving that same faith, the Indian Air Force avenged the terrorist attack in Pahalgam by carrying out successful air strikes on nine terrorist locations at around 1:30 am," said Pawar.

He said in this operation, nine terrorist targets were targeted in a precise and planned manner without harming any Pakistani civilian or Pakistani military positions. The entire country is proud of this heroic feat of the Indian Army.

"Heartfelt congratulations to all the Indian soldiers who maintained India's sovereignty and the security of its citizens and gave a befitting reply to the Pahalgam attack! Jai Hind!", said Pawar.

Akhilesh Yadav said, "Courage wins."

The Opposition unity after the Pahalgam attack is in contrast with the 2016 surgical strikes post the Uri terror attack and the 2018 Balakot air strikes when they had questioned the veracity of operations by the Armed Forces.

Today, the Opposition unequivocally threw its weight behind forces.