Modi again accuses Pakistan of Pahalgam attack

KARACHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again targeted Pakistan in his speech, accusing it of targeting humanity and orchestrating the Pahalgam attack. Speaking at a rally in Katra on Friday during his visit to Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said, “Pakistan is also the enemy of the poor’s bread and butter. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam is an example of that. Pakistan attacked ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam”.

Referring to the killing of Adil, a pony ride operator who was among those killed in the Pahalgam attack, Modi alleged that the intent behind such attacks was to provoke communal unrest in India and destroy livelihoods. “The intent of Pakistan was to trigger communal riots in India. It wanted to strip people of Kashmir of their earnings, that’s why Pakistan attacked tourism”, he said.

Modi went on to claim that tourism had seen record growth in Occupied Kashmir over the past five years. During his address -- delivered after flagging off the first train service to the Kashmir Valley and inaugurating several infrastructure projects, including the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river -- Modi also highlighted India’s airstrikes into Pakistan on May 6.

Continuing his praise for Operation Sindoor, the Indian prime minister claimed that the operation “will forever haunt them (Pakistan)”, before moving on to make his oft-repeated line that India had attacked “terror infrastructure” in Pakistan.

Modi, making his first visit to Occupied Kashmir since Operation Sindoor was launched, warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the region’s development “would have to face Narendra Modi first”.

However, despite the triumphant tone of the rally, Modi continues to face scrutiny at home over the circumstances surrounding Operation Sindoor and its end.

On Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reignited questions over Modi’s silence on comments made by US President Donald Trump. “US President Trump has said 11 times that Narendra Modi agreed to a ceasefire under his pressure. But till today, Narendra Modi has not said anything about Trump’s statement. Narendra Modi should say that Trump is lying”, Gandhi posted on social media.

India’s opposition parties have been pressing the government for clarity on whether foreign influence played a role in military or diplomatic decisions.