'Govt should take accountability, concrete steps': Congress on Pahalgam terror attack

NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday strongly condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, further urging the government "to take accountability and concrete steps."
"I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The whole country is united against terrorism," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
"Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this," he added.

These remarks came after terrorists attacked a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring several others, according to PTI.
Among the deceased were two foreign nationals and two local residents, a senior official confirmed, without sharing further detail, reported PTI.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also denounced these targeted attacks as contrary to human values, stating, "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. News reports indicate that precious lives have been lost. On behalf of the Congress party, my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," he continued.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured. India's National Security is paramount and we urge the GOI to take corrective measures to ensure the same," he added.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra characterised the attack as reprehensible and disgraceful.
"Targeting unarmed and innocent civilians is a crime against humanity. This is completely unacceptable. The whole country stands united against terrorism and strongly condemns it," she said in a post in Hindi on X.

"According to reports, many tourists have been killed in this attack. May God grant peace to the departed souls. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," she added.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal expressed distress about the incident stating, "Deeply terrified to hear the news of a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, J&K. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and for peace and calm to be restored at the earliest."
The incident occurred at approximately 3 pm when armed individuals descended from the mountain in Baisaran valley in Pahalgam and opened fire on tourists in an area frequently referred to as "mini Switzerland" due to its verdant meadows.