All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed concern over the fact that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack singled out victims based on their religion before killing them. He also blamed the central government saying its intelligence failure could not prevent the attack.

“Mazhab pooch ke waha pe masoom logon ka katl kiya gaya hai, (Innocent people were asked about the religion they follow before being killed)” Owaisi told the media on Wednesday.

While condemning the incident, Owaisi also blamed the Modi government, calling the terror attack which claimed at least 28 lives, a direct result of “intelligence failure.” He demanded accountability from the Centre and questioned the effectiveness of the government’s security policies. The AIMIM leader called his this attack more painful than Uri and Pulwama.

“This attack is even more painful, more dangerous, and more shameful than Uri and Pulwama. The terrorists deliberately targeted civilians after confirming their religion. This is nothing less than a massacre,” Owaisi said.

Pahalgam horror: Tourists told to recite Islamic verse, shot soon after

In a horrifying terror attack that shook Kashmir’s picturesque Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists on Tuesday, killing at least 28 people and injuring several others. However, what is even more disturbing is that tourists were singled out on the basis of their religion and shot at when they failed to perform a task assigned by the terrorists.

Asavari Jagdale, a 26-year-old Human Resource professional from Pune, recounted the horrific experience of her family during the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Her father, Santosh Jagdale, 54, was asked to recite an Islamic verse by terrorists, and when he failed, they shot him thrice in the head, behind the ear, and back.

Married for just two months, Kanpur resident Shubham Dwivedi, 28, and his wife were travelling in Pahalgam along with other family members, when the former was targeted by the terrorists.

According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists asked if the couple were Muslim and told them to recite the Kalma, an Islamic declaration of faith. When they failed to do so, the gunmen shot Shubham in his head.

Speaking to the media, Shubham’s cousin said, “Bhaiya and bhabhi were eating Maggi, when two people in uniform came to them, and asked are you Muslim, if yes, then recite the Kalma.”

LeT-linked organisation The Resistance Front claims responsibility

The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation is backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The Resistance Front is allegedly linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The outfit is considered a proxy of LeT founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

“They will not be spared”: PM Modi vows justice will be served

“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi stated in an X post condemning the heinous attack.

“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” the prime minister further said.

PM Modi held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as soon as he landed in Delhi on Wednesday. PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and decided to cut short his visit. He was originally scheduled to return on Wednesday night.