Trinamool Congress Questions Government's Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
Concerns Raised Over Diplomatic Outreach
On Monday, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, who participated in Indian delegations visiting 33 nations recently to discuss India's stance on terrorism following the Pahalgam attack, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of this diplomatic effort.
Banerjee, serving as the National General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, questioned how many countries explicitly supported India after these discussions.
He emphasized that citizens deserve clarity and accountability regarding the government's actions in response to the April 22 terror incident in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities.
He raised critical questions, asking, “How did four terrorists infiltrate the border and execute an attack that claimed 26 innocent lives? Where is the accountability for this significant lapse in national security?”
Banerjee also inquired whether justice had been served for the four terrorists involved in the “brutal, religion-based massacre.”
He questioned if the attack stemmed from an intelligence failure and criticized the one-year extension granted to Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Kumar Deka shortly after the incident.
“Why was he rewarded instead of being held accountable?” Banerjee asked, expressing his concerns about the motivations behind such decisions.
Additionally, he challenged claims made by former US President Donald Trump regarding his role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
On the same day, Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien reiterated that it had been 55 days since the terror attack and demanded answers to the questions raised by Banerjee earlier.
The following day, the party highlighted that it had been 24 hours since Banerjee first sought answers.
“The nation still waits,” the party stated. “The silence is deafening.”
It’s been 24 hours since Shri @abhishekaitc asked 5 crucial questions that demand answers.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 17, 2025
The nation still waits. The silence is deafening.#5Sawal pic.twitter.com/X2G42X3RDC
Banerjee's inquiries followed Prime Minister Modi's recent meeting with members of Indian delegations, which included former diplomats and MPs, who had traveled to 33 countries to communicate India's position on cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
Initially, Banerjee was not included in the delegation announced by the government, which had selected Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan to represent the party. However, after criticizing the Union government for unilaterally deciding the representation, party leader Mamata Banerjee replaced Pathan with Banerjee.
This diplomatic initiative by New Delhi was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military operations, known as Operation Sindoor, targeting what India identified as terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In retaliation, the Pakistan Army engaged in shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 Indian civilians and eight defense personnel.
On May 10, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to cease hostilities following a four-day conflict.
New Delhi's announcement to halt military actions came shortly after Trump claimed on social media that both nations had agreed to a ceasefire.
However, India clarified that the decision to stop firing was made bilaterally, without US intervention, and maintained that trade discussions were not part of any talks between Indian and US leaders.