Last Updated:May 06, 2025, 11:37 IST

SP leader Lal Bihari Yadav has stoked a controversy as he raised questions on the alleged intelligence failure for the Pahalgam attack

SP leader Bihari Lal Yadav and BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla. (File)

Pahalgam attack: Amid buzz over a possible retaliatory attack to the Pahalgam carnage, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Lal Bihari Yadav has stoked a controversy as he raised questions on the alleged intelligence failure for the Pahalgam attack, saying that “it is still not clear whether the terrorist attack was carried out politically or not.”

While speaking to the reporters in Varanasi on Monday, the Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council traded barbs at the BJP-led central government and reportedly said, “Whether the Pulwama terror attack of 2019 was carried out by terrorists or by our own people is still a matter of doubt. Similarly, whether the Pahalgam terror attack was carried out politically or not is also not clear yet.”

BJP Reacts To Yadav’s Remarks

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Yadav and opposition leaders saying that he was speaking the language of Pakistan rather than his own.

Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the opposition is trying to bring down the morale of the security forces by giving  clean chit to Pakistan with their statements.

“…After the all-party meet, one by one, Congress leaders, RJD leaders and now, SP leaders are giving clean chit to Pakistan…SP leader is saying that this (Pahalgam attack) was carried out politically. Means they have given a clean chit to Pakistan, and they are trying to bring down the morale of the security forces. SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav had once said that the Pulwama attack was carried out for votes….INDI alliance and Pakistan are like two different bodies and one soul…”

Earlier Controversial Remarks

Following the attack, several opposition leaders have made provocative statements. Among them are Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, and Charanjeet Singh Channi, former Punjab Chief Minister and Member of Parliament.

After the attack, the Modi government had called an all-party meeting to brief political parties on the security situation in Kashmir and the actions taken against Pakistan. All political parties, including Congress, assured the government of their support for any action deemed necessary against Pakistan. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, urging restraint within the party.

Party senior leader Jairam Ramesh had issued a notification that no one should speak out of turn on such matters. However, controversy arose when the official Congress handle depicted PM Modi in a headless position, labeling him as “Gaayab.” Despite widespread criticism, it took Congress nearly 24 hours to delete the post.

What Happened In Pahalgam?

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 responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage.

After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches. In response, Pakistan undertook tit-for-tat measures and suspended the Shimla Agreement.

(With inputs from agencies)

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