Pahalgam Attack: Parties Unite On Action Against Pakistan, Govt Suggests 'Tougher' Steps Ahead

Last Updated:April 24, 2025, 21:49 IST

Leaders across the party lines sought decisive action for destroying terror camps and assured that they are with the government in dealing with the issue of terrorism. 

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju (News18)

All-Party Meet: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that all political parties agreed on the need to stand together in the fight against terrorism.

While speaking to the reporters after the all party meeting, Rijiju said that a constructive deliberation took place, with consensus across the board on supporting the government in its response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed at least 26 lives and left several others wounded.

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“All the parties were of the opinion that they stand united with the government in the fight against terrorism," he said.

The union minister further said, “The Government made it clear in the meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government will have zero tolerance towards terrorist activities in our country and all the leaders expressed their solidarity with the Government for all the actions being taken by the Government and all the actions to be taken in the future…"

The union minister further said that the situation in Kashmir had remained peaceful in recent years but the latest terror attack has shattered that calm. He added that all political parties expressed deep concern over the setback to peace in the Valley.

“Everything was normal and peaceful in Kashmir from past few years, but this terror attack has ruined the atmosphere in the valley," he said.

Leaders across the party lines sought decisive action for destroying terror camps and assured that they are with the government in dealing with the issue of terrorism.

Read More: India May Announce Ceasefire Cessation After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Govt Sources | Exclusive

At the beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was observed for the victims

The government briefed leaders of various political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and heard their views at the all-party meeting

Opposition Asks About Security Lapses

Several opposition parties asked questions about the apparent failure of security protocols. “Where were the security forces? Where was the Central Reserve Police Force?" several leaders asked, according to sources.

Additionally, Amit Shah reportedly explained as to what transpired. “If nothing had gone wrong, why would we be sitting here? There have been lapses somewhere that we have to find out," he reportedly told the leaders as cited by the sources.

Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandhyopadhyay said the issue of possible security lapses was  discussed but the opposition assured its support to the government against terrorism.

“The nation must be totally united in this fight to eliminate terrorism," he said.

After attending the all-party meeting Rahul Gandhi said, “Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government to take any action."

Some members also asked about the intent of the government for the Indus Water Treaty and how does the government plan to implement this and what will happen to the surplus water?

Who All Attended The Meeting?

Those who attended the meeting included, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,  Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Read More: India Suspends All Visa Services For Pakistani s; Existing Visas Revoked After Pahalgam Attack

NCP-SP’s Supriya Sule, NCP’s Praful Patel, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, BJD’s Sasmit Patra, TDP’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, AAP’s Sanjay Singh, TMC’s Sudip Bandopadhyay, RJD’s Premchand Gupta, DMK’s T Siva and SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav were also a part of the meeting.

It has been a convention to call an all-party meeting following an incident with serious repercussions related to national security, as was seen after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 or during the India-China standoff in 2020.

India Downgrades Diplomatic Ties With Pakistan

On Wednesday, India announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches, in view of cross-border links to the devastating terror attack.

In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed the responsibility for the attack.

(With inputs from bureau, agencies)

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