Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India] : Following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh has strongly called for decisive action by the Union Government, stressing that the fight against terrorism transcends political differences and is crucial for India’s internal security.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Singh remarked, “This is not a political issue. It concerns the internal security of our country,” adding that all political parties, including Congress and the Opposition, are united with the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this matter. He referred to discussions held by the Congress Working Committee, which conveyed full support for the government and the Prime Minister’s decisions, especially in matters related to national security.
Singh expressed concern over the failure of intelligence agencies to detect the terrorist activity in Pahalgam despite the large presence of tourists at Baisaran Meadow. He emphasized that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) must carefully scrutinize the intelligence failure. “This is a serious concern,” he said, reiterating that national security should remain above politics.
He further stressed the need for “decisive and strong action” against terrorism, calling for a cohesive response from the Prime Minister. “Whether it is diplomatic or aggressive, a strong decision must be taken,” Singh said, underlining that the entire nation, including the 7 million people of Himachal Pradesh, stands united in the fight against terrorism.
Singh also pointed the finger at Pakistan, accusing the neighboring country’s military and ISI of direct involvement in the Pahalgam attack. He pointed out that the attack followed an inflammatory speech by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Munir and occurred at a time when India’s Prime Minister was abroad. “This is no coincidence,” Singh said, describing the attack as a deliberate message from terrorists to India and the world.
The Himachal Minister welcomed recent actions by the government, including suspending discussions on the Indus Waters Treaty and the cancellation of visas for Pakistani nationals, but stressed that stronger measures are needed. “A tougher message must be sent to Pakistan to prevent such attacks in the future,” he urged.
On the diplomatic front, Singh called for stronger international cooperation, stating that terrorism is a global issue affecting countries such as France, the UK, and the US. He called for India to build a diplomatic offensive across major world powers, particularly China, the United States, and European nations, to gain global support in combating terrorism. “Global solidarity against Islamic terrorism is essential,” he said, emphasizing the importance of international backing for any action India takes.
Regarding the security situation within Himachal Pradesh, Singh assured that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the Home portfolio, is closely monitoring internal security. Security measures are being strengthened in border districts like Chamba, which shares a boundary with Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.
Singh also criticized the BJP leadership in Himachal Pradesh for continuing to hold political celebrations despite the national mourning. “While the entire country is mourning, BJP leaders attending party functions send a wrong message to the people,” he said, calling on former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and BJP state president Rajeev Bindal to answer for their actions.
On a separate issue, Singh clarified that the installation of a statue of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is being managed by a trust. He appreciated the Chief Minister’s cooperation in this initiative, noting that Virbhadra Singh had served as Chief Minister six times and deserved recognition.