Ujjwal Nikam condemns Pahalgam attack, draws parallels with Mumbai 26/11 terror
Mumbai: Senior public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, renowned for his role in securing convictions in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, on Thursday strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which terrorists targeted and killed civilians after asking their religion.
Drawing parallels with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Nikam said such tactics aim to incite communal violence, but asserted that these efforts will never succeed in India.
Speaking to IANS, Ujjwal Nikam expressed deep anguish over the brutality of the attack.
'I strongly condemn this inhuman and cowardly act. The way the terrorists targeted innocent tourists, asking their religion before killing them, reminds me of the 26/11 attacks,' he said.
'Back then, during the attack on the Taj Hotel, Kasab and his associates followed a similar pattern. They asked guests about their religion to decide their fate. One man even lied about his faith to save his life, but when his wife's phone rang, the truth was revealed. He was brutally beaten and nearly killed, until the National Security Guard commandos intervened.'
Nikam said the intent behind such attacks is to spark communal riots. 'Just like in 26/11, the terrorists in Pahalgam wanted to incite hatred and division. But the people of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and the entire country responded with unity. We stood together then, and we will stand together now. These divisive tactics will never work in our country,' he told IANS.
Commenting on the emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nikam said the government's response so far is just the beginning.
'The country has only started to respond. The Prime Minister even cancelled his scheduled events in Saudi Arabia and rushed back. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed deep concern, and arrangements are being made to bring back affected tourists,' he added.
Nikam also noted the international support India is receiving. 'Even US President Donald Trump conveyed full support to PM Modi. This shows that India is no longer willing to tolerate terrorism.'
Referring to the Prime Minister's statement that India will pursue the perpetrators 'to the ends of the Earth,' Nikam expressed strong confidence in the government's resolve.
'PM Modi has made it clear -- there will be no safe haven for terrorists. After the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir was moving toward peace and development. This attack is a desperate attempt by Pakistan-backed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba to derail that progress. But they will not succeed," he told IANS.
While remaining tight-lipped about potential military or covert responses, Nikam hinted at strong retaliatory action. 'No government will disclose its exact strategy on camera. But I am confident that the action taken will be strict and decisive. India is not a soft state. We will not tolerate the murder of our citizens, and the world will see that,' he concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
23 minutes ago
- News18
US Reaffirms Strong Support To India In Fight Against Terrorism: State Department
Last Updated: The multi-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau last week in Washington. The US reaffirmed its strong support for India's fight against terrorism and the bilateral strategic partnership during the visit of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation last week, the State Department said. The multi-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau last week in Washington. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing on Tuesday that Landau reaffirmed the US' strong support to India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The delegation visited the US as part of the government's global outreach efforts after Operation Sindoor. India launched the operation in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Responding to a question, Bruce said that a Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met officials of the State Department, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, during its visit to Washington last week. Hooker reiterated the US support for the ongoing cessation of on-ground hostilities '– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan", Bruce said, adding that they also discussed important issues about the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, including counterterrorism cooperation. 'So that meeting occurred." When asked if the US received any assurance from Pakistan that it will take action against terrorists, Bruce said she was not going to discuss the details of those conversations. In response to a question on President Donald Trump offering to 'mediate" on the issue of Kashmir, Bruce said, 'Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war." Bruce added that it should not 'surprise" anyone that he would want to 'manage" something like that. 'So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard…But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict..," Bruce said adding that it is a 'very interesting time." India has rejected any mediation related to the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are and will always remain an 'integral" part of the country. (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)
The Wire
25 minutes ago
- The Wire
CPI(M) Delegation Visits Uri, Demands Special Parliament Session to Discuss Plight of Border Residents
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Politics CPI(M) Delegation Visits Uri, Demands Special Parliament Session to Discuss Plight of Border Residents The Wire Staff 6 minutes ago At least 20 border residents lost their lives while dozens were injured in the four-day aerial skirmishes between the armies of India and Pakistan last month. The CPI(M) delegation led by party general secretary M.A. Baby visited different parts of Uri on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) to assess the damage caused due to shelling from Pakistan. Photo: Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: A delegation of parliamentarians from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI)(M) led by party general secretary M.A. Baby visited the areas affected by Pakistani shelling in Uri in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday (June 10). The delegation demanded that the compensation of Rs. 1.30 lakh that has been announced for each family should be reviewed. The area had come under heavy shelling during the skirmishes between troops of India and Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle suspected terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and mainland Pakistan. At least 20 border residents lost their lives while dozens were injured in the four-day aerial skirmishes between the armies of India and Pakistan last month. While speaking to reporters, Baby reiterated the demand for a special session of parliament to discuss the plight of border residents and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rhetoric cannot compensate what people in border areas such as Poonch, Kupwara and Baramulla have suffered, reported The Economic Times. 'The situation here is highly distressing. Devastation and destruction created due to shelling is huge. The government has promised Rs. 1.30 lakh compensation for each family but this is very less considering the situation on ground,' said Baby. He added that the Prime Minister is refusing to discuss the plight of people in border areas in a special session of parliament, despite the Opposition's calls for the same. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Gandhi's and Modi's Reflections on 'Sindoor' Are Poles Apart An MoU Cancelled Is an Opportunity Lost The Opposition Owes the Indian public Some Answers Facing Pushback, Derision and Anger, BJP Says News of Sindoor Distribution Plans 'Fake' Eight Days, Nine Rallies, Six States: Tracking PM Modi and Operation Sindoor as Campaign Ammunition Nehru's Vision of Foreign Policy Assumes Greater Relevance in Wake of the Modi Regime's Abject Failures From Flowers to Sarees, A Story of PM Modi's Communication Imagery Post-Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor and Supernatural Times Under the Modi Regime Has BJP Launched a Premature Election Campaign With Operation Sindoor Symbolism? About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's global outreach: 'Strong support' - US on fight against Pakistan-backed terrorism
The United States reaffirmed its strong support for India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The delegation, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor at its helm, held discussions with US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau in Washington last week. While addressing Tuesday's press briefing, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Landau emphasised America's firm support for India's anti-terrorism initiatives against the terrorism. "Deputy Secretary Landau met with the Indian parliamentary delegation last week, and he also reaffirmed the United States strong support of India in the fight against terrorism, and strategic partnership between those two countries," Bruce said. The delegation's US visit was part of the government's worldwide diplomatic initiative following Operation Sindoor, which India initiated in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist incident that resulted in 26 casualties. Bruce noted that a Pakistani parliamentary group led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari engaged with State Department officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, during their Washington visit last week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like "I Had A Dad Bod - Until I Did This' Apex Labs Undo Hooker emphasised US support for the current pause in ground conflicts "– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan", Bruce stated, noting discussions also covered key US-Pakistan bilateral matters, including anti-terrorism collaboration. "So that meeting occurred." When questioned about Pakistani assurances regarding action against terrorists, Bruce declined to elaborate on the conversation details. Although India had declined that US brokered the mediation between New Delhi and Islamabad, the United States President continued to claim that he did that. Regarding President Donald Trump's Kashmir mediation offer, Bruce stated, "Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war." Bruce suggested it was unsurprising that he would want to "manage" such situations. "So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard. You can call the White House. I have a feeling they would have plenty to say. But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict, thank God but also thank Secretary Rubio and President Trump and the Vice President. It is – it's a very interesting time. And so it's – every day brings something new, and I hope perhaps something like that can also get resolved before the President. "
