Pahalgam Terror Attack: Congress Playing ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop’ to Shield Pakistan: BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari

BJP leader slams Congress for double-speak on Pahalgam terror attack, accuses it of insulting victims and offering cover fire to Pakistan.

New Delhi, April 27:
Amid Congress’s criticism of the Centre over alleged security lapses leading to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari on Sunday accused the opposition party of playing a “good cop, bad cop” strategy to shield Pakistan.

Bhandari expressed concern that while Congress voiced support during the all-party meeting on Thursday, some of its leaders simultaneously made statements that, according to him, downplayed the severity of the attack and indirectly provided cover fire to Pakistan.

“Congress is playing ‘good cop, bad cop’. On one hand, they promise full support in the all-party meeting, and on the other, their leaders issue statements that insult the victims and offer indirect protection to Pakistan,” Bhandari said.

He asserted that it was widely known that the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, was orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror groups. Any attempt to shift focus, he said, was a grave disservice to the victims and their families.

Bhandari particularly criticized Congress leaders who remarked that terrorists did not target victims based on religion, arguing that such statements diminished the horror of the attack and disrespected survivors’ accounts.

“They know very well that Pakistan’s terror masterminds are behind the Pahalgam attack. Yet, Congress leaders, like those in Karnataka, suggest that terrorists did not ask about religion. This echoes Congress’s pattern after 26/11, where they seemingly sought to exonerate Pakistan,” Bhandari added.

Stressing the need for national unity over political bickering, he said, “This is not the time for politics; the nation must stand together. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we will deliver a befitting response to Pakistan.”

The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, was one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF jawans. In response, India has vowed strict action against the perpetrators and their backers across the border.