NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: NCP (SP) supremo and former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar said that he was not aware of reports that terrorists sought to know the religion of people before shooting them in Pahalgam.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has slammed Pawar, a former Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.
“I don’t know what is the precise truth, however, the women were left and men were killed,” Pawar said when asked about the terrorists asking the tourists whether the person is a Hindu or Muslim and then opened fire at the Hindu tourists.
When asked about it, Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, said: “I don’t know what Pawar has said, but I have heard what the relatives of the victims and those who were at the site have narrated. Pawar too should hear it.’’
Hitting out at the BJP-led Centre, Pawar said that the government kept claiming that terrorism had ended in Kashmir, the Pahalgam terror attack showed security lapses.
"The action by terrorists is against India and when there is an activity which is against the country, there should not be any room for politicising it," Pawar said.
About the all-party meeting, he said from the NCP (SP) side Baramati MP Supriya Sule has attended the meeting.
“I am happy that all the parties have taken a stand to cooperate with the government. Whatever decision is taken, we are with the government and the government should look into this with more seriousness,” said Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister.
However, he went on to add: “If a safe place like Pahalgam has been targeted, then we should be more cautious in making the claim that we have achieved success against terrorism in the valley...more caution needs to be taken.”