New Delhi : The Congress have expressed grave concern over the increased number of terror attacks in the Jammu region of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which otherwise has remained, by and large, peaceful so far.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here today, party MP and CWC member Deepender Singh Hooda referred to the latest terror attack in Kathua district of Jammu region in which five soldiers were martyred and five others were injured. He observed that the government was not taking the matter as seriously as it needs to be taken. “As a responsible Opposition, we want to remind the government to take it seriously”, the Congress spokesperson said.
Hooda pointed out, this was the fifth such attack in the last one month in the Jammu region, which so far had remained mostly peaceful as compared to Kashmir region. He said, similar attack took place in Rajouri in December 2023 in which four soldiers were martyred. Besides, a bus carrying pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine was attacked in which 9 pilgrims were killed on June 9. He also referred to the terror attack in Kulgam in Kashmir region, in which 8 people, including two soldiers, were killed.
Quoting the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi saying that terror attacks can only be dealt with firm action and not just hollow words and speeches, Hooda said, the terrorists needed to be answered in their own language. He said, whatever steps need to be taken to deal with the situation, the Congress, as a responsible Opposition, was ready to support and cooperate with the government in every way.
The Congress spokesperson said that what was more concerning was that the terrorists had extended their area of activities from Kashmir to Jammu region. Quoting different reports in public domain, he said, since January 2023, the proportion of the number of civilians and security personnel killed in terror-related incidents had almost doubled and was higher than what it was 20 years ago in 2004.
Blaming Pakistan for orchestrating such attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Hooda said, it (Pakistan) was trying to divert the attention of its people from its own failures like unemployment and bankruptcy.
Replying to a question, he observed, the government should take whatever measures it thinks are appropriate. He assured Congress party’s support and cooperation in the interest of national security. He said it was the right time to give the befitting reply to Pakistan.
