Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leader Rahul Gandhi
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Opposition on Wednesday cheered Indian armed forces for the hit on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) to avenge Pahalgam attack, applauding their “resolute resolve and courage” in upholding India’s “unflinching national policy” against all forms of terrorism emanating from the neighbouring country.
Parties acknowledged that India had “little choice” but to launch the strikes to target terror camps while avoiding civilian and military targets and it has to be “uncompromising” and “always be anchored in the supreme national interest” when Pakistan is aiding and abetting terrorism.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said national unity and solidarity is the need of the hour and that they were “extremely proud” of the armed forces. “We applaud their resolute resolve and courage…Congress stands with our armed forces. Our leaders have shown the path in the past, and national interest is supreme for us,”Kharge posted on ‘X’.
Congress Working Committee also held an emergency meeting here to take stock of the situation with Kharge saying, I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties are also working together unitedly.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi told reporters, “The CWC extends complete support to our forces, best wishes, good luck to them, much love to them.”
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said India’s commitment to eliminating all sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK has necessarily to be “uncompromising” and “always be anchored in the supreme national interest”.
Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee saluted the armed forces for their “unmatched bravery and extraordinary valour” for striking with “precision, restraint and discipline” and said, “but let's be clear: putting down a rabid dog doesn’t stop the threat if the one breeding it is still alive and plotting to raise more. The real problem is not the rabid dog, rather it is the vile handler who breeds, trains and unleashes terror.”
While Samajwadi Party chief Akhikesh Yadav said, “bravery wins”, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said, “India has full faith in the Indian Army, which protects India’s sovereignty by taking bullets to its chest. Today, proving that same faith, the Indian Air Force avenged the terrorist attack in Pahalgam by carrying out successful airstrikes on nine terrorist locations…”
CPI said India had “little choice but to respond firmly” and the “targeted nature” of the strikes by “avoiding Pakistani military assets and focusing solely on terrorist infrastructure” demonstrates a “calibrated and non-escalatory approach, prioritising accountability without inviting full-scale conflict”.
Reiterating the importance of pursuing diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation and preserve peace in our region and also to arrive at political solutions, it also asked Pakistan to dismantle all terror networks operating from its soil. Only a joint regional resolve can end the cycle of violence and ensure long-term peace and security for our peoples, it added.
CPI(M) acknowledged the “focused, measured and non-escalatory” strikes carried out successfully and said there should be pressure on Pakistan to hand over those responsible for the Pahalgam strike and ensure that no terrorist camps operate from its territory.
Senior RJD MP Manoj K Jha said, “Army carried out a precision strike on the targeted location. No civilians were harmed. Not even military establishments were touched. The operation focused solely on specific facilities, each located separately and deliberately chosen. That is why I salute the bravery and dedication of the Indian Army.”
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on ‘X’, “a set of calibrated, calculated, precise strikes against terror targets. Exactly what I had advocated last week: hit hard, hit smart. I applaud the government and stand solidly with our armed forces.”
“At the same time we have behaved in a manner that would not justify further expansion of the conflict. We have made our point and acted in self-defence,” he said, adding time for all concerned to act wisely to prevent uncontrolled escalation.