New Delhi: Union minister Sukanta Majumdar and Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday firmly rejected Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reported offer to conduct a “neutral investigation” into the Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists. While Majumdar denounced the proposal as a “desperate attempt to save face”, Abdullah questioned Pakistan’s initial denial altogether.
Speaking to reporters in Bengal, Majumdar criticised Sharif’s remarks, questioning the credibility of any Pakistani-led investigation. “What investigation will these people do? Can a thief ever investigate his own theft?” he asked. “The Prime Minister of Pakistan is speaking out of fear. This fear is good—he should have this fear. When Pakistan is unprepared, that is when we will strike, and we will strike hard,” he added.
Abdullah dismisses Pakistan’s offer
The Pahalgam attack, one of the largest attack on the civilian population in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370 claimed the lives of 26 people, including a Nepali citizen, and left several others injured.
Abdullah dismissed Pakistan’s offer outright. “First, they did not even recognise that something had happened in Pahalgam. Then they alleged that India was behind it,” Abdullah said. “For those who made allegations against us initially, it is difficult to attach any credibility to their statements now. I do not wish to give much importance to their remarks.”
Sharif had said: “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”
Security forces launch sweeping crackdown
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a sweeping crackdown across Jammu and Kashmir. Over 175 suspects have been detained in Anantnag district as part of intensified day-and-night counter-terror operations. In Assam, 10 people were arrested for allegedly attempting to justify or whitewash the attack online.
Several Union ministers, including Hardeep Singh Puri and Piyush Goyal, have issued stern warnings. Puri described Pakistan as a “rogue state in terminal decline”, while reiterating that “Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price” for fostering terrorism.
