Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP-SP leader Anil Deshmukh demanded a thorough investigation into reports that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir may have asked tourists their religion before opening fire. He said that there is no confirmed information and if such claims are true, they reveal a deeply disturbing and communal motive behind the attack that cannot be ignored.
“Reports have emerged suggesting that the assailants questioned the victims about their religion before firing. There is no confirmed information on this. Only after investigation will we get to know the truth...,” Deshmukh said on Wednesday, expressing concern over the alleged communal nature of the violence. He added that if such details are confirmed, it points to a new level of brutality and targeted hatred that must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Anil Deshmukh Faces Flak Over 'No Confirmation' Remark
However, Deshmukh has come under fire over his recent statement. Netizens have slammed the NCP-SP leader over his 'no confirmation' remark, strongly reminding him of the weeping family members of the victims who narrated the ordeal.
Some users also accused him of supporting the terrorists and ignoring the sentiments of the victims and their families who experienced the terrifying attack first-hand and survived to live with the trauma for their entire life.
Check some netizen reactions here:
In a social media post on Tuesday, Deshmukh condemned the incident as a “cowardly and despicable act,” offering condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. “The attack on unarmed tourists is shameful. We stand with the victims and their families in this hour of grief,” he wrote.
The attack took place on April 22 in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination, leaving 26 people dead, including 6 men from Maharashtra. The act has sparked nationwide outrage, with citizens and leaders demanding strong retaliation and immediate justice.
