Attack 'supporter' held

Extending solidarity with the Centre on the issue of terrorist attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress party on Wednesday urged the Narendra Modi government to take action against the perpetrators of the crime even if those behind it were stationed outside the country.

- Raj Kumar

RANCHI:

Addressing a joint press conference at party's state headquarters, state health minister Irfan Ansari, Jharkhand Congress's working president Shahzada Anwar and deputy leader of the legislature party Rajesh Kachhap urged the prime minister to take action against the perpetrators, even as they criticised efforts to give the incident a religious colour.

"The Congress party condemns this terror act, which is against humanity. The Congress party is behind the government on this issue. The prime minister should take all Opposition along on this issue. If required, he should engage with leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party wants to see strictest possible action against the terrorists behind this attack," said Ansari.

The health minister, however, also questioned the claims of the Centre that terrorism was eradicated from the country under the Modi regime. "What happened to the 56-inch chest? How come such incidents happen when PM Modi is abroad?. Attempts are being made to paint this with religious colour. The fact remains that terrorism has no caste or religion. Of those who have been killed, one is a Muslim and two are foreigners," said Ansari.