Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 28 (ANI): BJP leader Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack on the Congress party for allegedly whitewashing the crimes of Pakistan. He also accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of being a Pakistani sympathiser in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

While speaking to ANI reporters on Monday, Patra said, 'The entire world and India are grieving... PM Modi said that the revenge would be unimaginable for Pakistan... But Congress has shown its nature. The leaders of Congress are giving statements to break the morale of the Indian people and the army. The only focus of the Congress party seems to be whitewashing Pakistan's crimes.'

Patra took a jibe at the Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and other leaders, calling out their hypocrisy, saying, 'Though they claimed during the all-party meeting that they stand with India, Congress leaders are publicly siding with Pakistan. Siddaramaiah, a senior leader and the Chief Minister of Karnataka, has stated that Pakistan should not be attacked. Why are you sympathising with terrorists and Pakistan?'

He further alleged that Siddaramaiah's comments were being broadcast across Pakistani media. 'Today, Siddaramaiah's words are being broadcast across media channels in Pakistan. Look at these prominent Congress leaders who seem to be standing with them. Another such leader is Ramappa Timmapur, the Excise Minister of Karnataka, who also said that the terrorists did not shoot based on religion. He is falsifying Indians to sympathise with terrorists and is mocking the bereaved families'Calling for stringent action against these leaders, Patra demanded, 'Congress should expel Siddaramaiah and Timmapur... But Congress will not do that because this is the real face of Congress... Rahul Gandhi demanded proof of the surgical strike.' He further slammed LoP Rahul Gandhi and Businessman Robert Vadra for defending Pakistan, and demanded that the Visas of these individuals should be cancelled. 'Today, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, and Timmapur's statements are being broadcast on Pakistani TV... Pakistan considers them as their sympathisers... The Visas of these Pakistan sympathisers should also be cancelled... Robert Vadra came forward to defend Pakistan before even the pyres had cooled down... He explained how India is responsible for this terror attack...and how Pakistan has nothing to do with it...', he said.

Last Thursday, after a group of people from Odisha's Puri returned safely to Bhubaneswar from Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Patra thanked J-K LG Manoj Sinha and said that the whole world is shocked by the Pahalgam terror attack.

'The whole world is shocked by the Pahalgam terror attack. Seven of our people who are part of our Panchayati Raj system were stranded in Pahalgam. Soon after the terror incident, they contacted us, and we got in touch with LG Manoj Sinha's office, which helped us arrange their travel to Jammu. From Jammu, they travelled to Delhi, and then to Bhubaneswar. Sadly, we lost one Prashant ji in the incident,' Patra told ANI.

The terror attack on 22 April happened around 2 pm at Baisaran meadow, near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the incident, in a display of political solidarity, leaders from different parties united at an all-party meeting convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to vehemently denounce the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, stationed at the Pahalgam terror attack site since April 23, have intensified the search for evidence. The teams, led by an IG, DIG, and SP from the anti-terror agency, are questioning eyewitnesses who observed the April 22 attack.

Additionally, the Indian Army is on high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI)