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On Srinagar visit, Owaisi demands ‘effective response' to Pahalgam terror attack

On Srinagar visit, Owaisi demands ‘effective response' to Pahalgam terror attack

Indian Express07-05-2025
On a visit to Srinagar, AIMM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday called on the government to respond effectively to the terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians last month.
'This was a cowardly attack, and no words are enough to condemn it. We have seen how terrorists from Pakistan killed 26 people here. The most disturbing part is that women and children were separated from the men, who were asked their religion and then killed. This is brutality,' Owaisi told reporters.
He said the incident has caused the most damage to Kashmir and pointed out that tourists have left the Valley. 'We want the government to give an effective response to this. We had said this in the all-party meeting as well,' he said.
Owaisi also described as 'wrong' the harassment of Kashmiris outside the Union Territory.
'I want to tell the people indulging in such acts — listen to what Himanshi is saying. She saw her husband getting killed in front of her eyes, she is asking not to express hatred against Kashmiris and Muslims,' he said, referring to Himanshi Narwal, wife of Pahalgam attack victim Lieutenant Vinay Narwal.
The Hyderabad MP said it was time to defeat Pakistan and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
'For that, it is important to defeat their aim of spreading hatred among the two communities. If such acts continue, then the terrorists and their country will be satisfied,' he said.
Responding to questions on the death of a 22-year-old man from Kulgam, Owaisi said there should be an inquiry into the incident. 'I have heard about the family's statements in the media. This should be investigated.' He was referring to the case of Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, a resident of Tangmarg in south Kashmir's Kulgam, whose body was recovered from a stream on Sunday. The family said Magray was picked up by the Army some days ago, and alleged it was a case of custodial killing.
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