Itanagar, Apr 24: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Thursday strongly condemns the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, on April 22, which claimed 26 innocent lives.
Among the victims was Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a proud son of Arunachal Pradesh.
Former chief minister and APCC president Nabam Tuki expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to Corporal Hailyang’s family. In a message to his father, Tage Tadey, he honored the young airman’s bravery and supreme sacrifice, stating that his dedication to duty will never be forgotten.
Corporal Hailyang, who had recently been transferred to Assam after completing his tenure in Kashmir, was on leave when the attack occurred. His untimely death while on holiday with his wife highlights the cruelty of terrorism and the vulnerability of civilians.
The APCC denounced the attack as a cowardly assault on India’s unity and peace. It mourned the loss of all victims, including individuals from Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and a Nepali citizen. The party paid tribute to others who were killed, including Navy officer Lt Vinay Narwal and local hero Syed Adil Hussain Shah.
The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists in Baisaran, reveals a calculated attempt to disrupt peace and communal harmony. Arunachal Pradesh, a state that celebrates diversity, stands firm against such divisive forces, the party said in a statement here.
APCC also criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre for security lapses and intelligence failures.
The party questioned the government’s claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation and pointed out that this was the deadliest attack since Pulwama in 2019. It highlighted a pattern of neglect, with 27 attacks occurring under the current regime since 2014.
The APCC demanded a transparent investigation, accountability, and immediate relief for the victims’ families, including ex-gratia payments and medical assistance. It also called for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Congress Party, under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, reaffirmed its commitment to national unity and security. Rahul Gandhi, cutting short his US visit, attended an emergency Congress Working Committee meeting, and senior party leaders reached out to both the Home Minister and J&K leadership to offer support, the party added.
