Mamata slams centre over Pahalgam attack, lauds armed forces for Operation Sindoor
Kolkata, June 10 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday strongly criticised the BJP-led Union government over the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Speaking on a resolution in the state Assembly moved from the Chair conveying appreciation for Indian Armed forces in combating militant and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, Banerjee called the incident a result of the Centre's "callousness and total failure" and demanded political accountability, asserting that the government had failed to ensure citizens' security.
Banerjee questioned the absence of security forces at the site during the attack, asking, 'Why were no security personnel or police present?' She condemned the politicisation of the armed forces' bravery, accusing the BJP of using military valour for electoral gains.
Despite her sharp criticism of the Centre, Banerjee praised the Indian armed forces for their actions during Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack. The operation led to the destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
'There was a need to teach the terrorists a lesson. We salute the bravery of our armed forces,' she said.
Banerjee further said that during the military escalation, India had an opportunity to assert control over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
'Our party strongly stands against terrorism. Terrorism has no religion, caste, or creed. We demand justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack,' she added.
The chief minister also raised concerns about India's international diplomacy, noting that Pakistan secured loans from the IMF despite its involvement in cross-border terrorism. She criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of focusing more on self-promotion than national security.
Following India's strike, Pakistan retaliated with shelling and drone attacks along the Line of Control. India responded by targeting Pakistani military infrastructure, including the Nur Khan and Rahim Yar Khan airbases. Both nations agreed to de-escalate on May 10.
The state Assembly adopted a resolution to honour the courage of the armed forces but the opposition alleged that there was no mention of 'Operation Sindoor" in the text of the resolution.
''Operation Sindoor' is not mentioned in the resolution. It is surprising. The House is praising the armed forces without mentioning the name of the operation. Her sentiments towards our armed forces and Prime Minister Modi seem contradictory—both cannot coexist,' a BJP legislator remarked. UNI XC SSP
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