Priti Patel Voices Strong Support for India Amid Terrorism Concerns

UK MP Priti Patel Stands with India Against Terrorism

London: Priti Patel, a Member of Parliament from the UK Conservative Party, has expressed her unwavering support for India, emphasizing its right to take necessary actions to protect itself and dismantle the terrorist networks that have inflicted harm and continue to pose a threat. She criticized Pakistan for its role in promoting terrorism that endangers both India and Western interests.

Her comments followed the Indian military's launch of Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine significant terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

During a session in the House of Commons, Patel conveyed her condolences to the victims of the tragic violence in Pahalgam, stating, "This was a terrorist act, and we must acknowledge that Pahalgam has now joined the ranks of Mumbai, New Delhi, and other cities in India that have been scarred by such atrocities."

She recounted the brutal nature of the April 22 attack, where terrorists killed 26 tourists in a horrific act, with many victims shot at close range.

Patel highlighted the ongoing threat posed by terrorists operating from Pakistan, recalling that it was the country where Osama bin Laden was found. She noted the UK's longstanding security cooperation with India, which is rooted in the shared history of violence perpetrated by terrorists.

She urged the UK government to collaborate with its allies to combat global terrorism effectively.

Patel questioned whether the UK government had provided assistance to India following the Pahalgam attack, inquiring about the nature of intelligence sharing and support for investigations.

She raised concerns regarding The Resistance Front (TRF), the group that claimed responsibility for the attack, asking if the UK government agrees with India's assessment that TRF is linked to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, known for its history of violence against India and connections to Hamas.

Patel pressed for confirmation on any known cooperation between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas, seeking clarity on the UK government's awareness of these links.

She also questioned the Foreign Secretary about discussions held with Indian officials after the attack and whether there has been an assessment of the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

Additionally, Patel expressed concerns about UK aid to Pakistan, asking for assurances that such aid does not inadvertently support terrorism.

Finally, she called for the government's evaluation of the attack and the individuals responsible for it.