Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday took sharp aim at the Congress party and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, listing a string of high-profile terror fugitives who allegedly fled the country when Congress was in power.
Responding to questions raised by the Opposition on the country’s internal security, Shah turned the tables by invoking the escape of wanted underworld and terror-linked figures under previous Congress governments.
“In 1986, Dawood Ibrahim fled the country — who was in power then? Congress. In 1993, Tiger Memon and Anees Ibrahim Kaskar fled — again under Congress rule. In 2007, Riyaz Bhatkal left the country. In 2010, Iqbal Kaskar escaped. Congress was ruling then too,” Shah said, addressing the Lok Sabha.
He added, “Now, they are asking me questions? Our security forces have given a strong answer. It’s time Rahul Gandhi answers—how and why did these people flee when your party was in power?”
Shah’s remarks came in the backdrop of Opposition attacks over recent terror incidents and raised concerns about India’s national security framework. The Home Minister’s counter-attack reframed the debate, placing the spotlight on the Congress’ historical record in handling domestic threats.
3 Pahalgam Attack Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev, Confirms Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday confirmed in the Lok Sabha that all three terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack were killed in a joint security operation named Operation Mahadev.
Speaking during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Shah said, “In a joint effort by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, three terrorists—Suleman alias Faisal Jatt, Afghan, and Jibran—have been eliminated.” All three were A-category Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, he added.
Shah detailed that the operation was launched on May 22, and the terrorists were identified after their bodies were recovered and verified by detained individuals who had earlier supplied food to them. Their weapons matched forensic reports from the original crime scene, with final confirmation completed through tests in Chandigarh.
“These are the same terrorists who killed innocent civilians in Baisaran Valley,” Shah said. “But sadly, the Opposition doesn’t seem pleased with this news,” he remarked, taking a swipe across the aisle.
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba had initially claimed the attack via its front, The Resistance Front (TRF), which later retracted its claim.
Earlier, India carried out Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack.
