'Take accountability instead of making hollow claims': Congress' message to Centre after J&K attack

Leader of Opposition(LOP) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday lamented the "cowardly" terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. He urged the BJP-led Centre to take accountability instead of making "hollow claims" about restoring normalcy by ridding the erstwhile state of terrorism.

Rahul, who is in the US, took to social media stating that the reports of the attack on tourists were extremely heartbreaking. He said, "... instead of making hollow claims on the situation being normal in J&K, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps, so such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future, and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Priyanka Gandhi also urged the ruling BJP to take decisive action against the terrorists.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism. These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity," Kharge said.

In her statement, Priyanka said, “The practice of targeting civilians is a crime against humanity (and) is completely unacceptable. The whole country stands united against terrorism and strongly condemns it."

Congress MP and leader Jairam Ramesh said,"...this is a time for exhibiting a cohesive collective will. The Union Government should immediately call an all-party meeting and take all political parties into confidence. This attack cannot and must not go unanswered effectively."