‘We Stand United in Fighting Terrorism, in Defending Unity And Integrity of India’: All-party Resolution on Pulwama Attack

"Congress party gives its full support to the govt in the fight against terrorism,"Congress leader Ghulam Nabi told reporters.

New Delhi: Days after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in the deadliest attack on security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, political parties in the opposition as well as the government put up a united face at the end of an all-party meeting and expressed India’s determination to fight terrorism. Underlining their solidarity with security forces for defending the country’s unity and integrity, a meeting of all political parties, including the BJP and the main Opposition, the Congress, passed a resolution condemning the terror attack and support being given to it from across the border.

Without naming Pakistan, the resolution asserted,”India has during the past three decades faced the menace of cross border terrorism. Of late, terrorism in India is being actively encouraged by the forces across the border. India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India.” (‘Was Talking to Him Over Phone And Then …’, Wife of Slain CRPF Jawan Recounts Horror)

Convened by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the all-party meeting was attended by Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia, TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O’Brien, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut.Jithendra Reddy of the TRS, D Raja of the CPI, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Ram Vilas Paswan of the LJP, Naresh Gujral of the Akali Dal, Upendra Kushwaha of the RLSP and Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav  also attended the meet among others.

A Home Ministry official said that the parties were briefed about the attack in Pulwama in South Kashmir and the steps being taken by the government so far. (Live updates on Pulwama Terror Attack)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad backed the government saying,” “We stand with the govt for unity and security of the nation and security forces. Be it Kashmir or any other part of the nation, Congress party gives its full support to the govt in the fight against terrorism.”

“We had requested the Home Minister to request the Prime Minister on our behalf to ask Presidents of all national and regional parties for a meeting. This was supported by other parties too. The entire nation is in mourning today, is angry,” Azad further said.

Earlier on Thursday, 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives in the worst-ever terrorist attack that rocked South Kashmir’s Pulwama.The personnel were returning from leave to resume their duty, when a suicide bomber belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus. The vehicle was blown up on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Awantipora area of the district at around 3:15 PM on Feb 14.