"What Will He Get By Saving Pak?" Amit Shah Hits Out At P Chidambaram

Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at the Congress' P Chidambaram Tuesday for his suggestion the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack - in which 26 people were killed - were "homegrown", and his demand for proof that they were from Pakistan, as the government has repeatedly said.

In Parliament this morning, Mr Shah criticised the opposition leader for trying to 'save Pakistan' and declared, "When he says this, it means they (the Congress) is giving a clean chit (to Pak).

The Home Minister, in a typically combative speech, also said, "I thought the opposition would be happy to know the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack are dead... but it seems they are upset..."

Amit Shah began his address by confirming the three men shot dead by a joint operation between Jammu and Kashmir Police and the military Monday evening took part in the Pahalgam terror attack.

"But yesterday, former Home Minister Chidambaramji raised the question - what is the proof that the terrorists came from Pakistan? I want to ask him what he will get by saving Pakistan. When he says this, it means they are giving a clean chit to Pakistan..." he continued.

Mr Shah then laid offered the House details of yesterday's operation, including the discovery of Pak-made chocolates and Pakistan government ID cards in the pockets of the terrorists gunned down.

READ | How Terrorists Killed In Op Mahadev Were Identified As Pahalgam Killers

He also said ballistic tests on assault rifles - an American-made M9 and Russian Ak-47s - recovered confirmed their use in Pahalgam. "Six forensic experts confirmed this to me on a video call this morning... that these are the same bullets used in the Pahalgam attack," Mr Shah said.

Buoyed by cheers from BJP MPs, Mr Shah repeated his 'clean chit' attack at Mr Chidambaram and the Congress and said they had lost the authority to question the government.

Amit Shah Fires At Congress

"The opposition seems upset terrorists were killed..." the Home Minister shouted angrily, "The opposition sees only the religion of the terrorists. Do they (the opposition) speak to Pak?"

"Civilians were killed in front of their families by (terrorists) who asked their religion. I condemn this barbaric act. I express my sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones," he said.

Mr Shah also criticised the Congress-led federal governments for failing to respond with military force to terror attacks during its time in power. "Between 2005 and 11, there were 27 terrorists attacks. What did Congress governmenst do? They just sent dossiers to Pakistan..."

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.