Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 23: State minister for large and medium industries M B Patil on Tuesday, April 23 strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and called for swift and decisive action against those responsible.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said, “This is a heinous act that cannot be tolerated. Innocent civilians and police personnel have lost their lives. The terrorists must be tracked down and shot dead. Their hideouts must be identified and neutralised immediately.”
Patil criticised the decision to reduce troop deployment in the Valley, stating that it had created a security vacuum. “With the impression that peace had returned to Kashmir, forces were withdrawn. That assumption has now cost lives. Security presence must be reinforced without delay,” he said.
Calling the attack an inhuman assault on tourists and innocent people, Patil urged the Narendra Modi-led central government to respond with force. “The central government must act decisively. All bases of these terror elements should be traced, and they must be eliminated. If Pakistan is involved, diplomatic pressure must be mounted internationally to hold them accountable,” he added.
Patil further stressed that the incident should not be communalised. “Terrorists have no religion. The local Muslim population in Kashmir has condemned this attack. They were peacefully going about their lives. This is not a reflection of the community — it’s the work of extremists. The government must crack down on such elements with an iron hand,” he said.
He also assured that efforts were underway to bring back tourists from Karnataka. “We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of our people. But at the end of the day, victims are victims — no matter which state they come from. Justice must be delivered to all.”
The minister concluded by stating that while compensation would be provided to the victims’ families, “no amount of money can bring back the lives lost. The only way to honour them is by ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”