Pahalgam attack: Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh adopted a mature approach at all-party meeting, says Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar emphasised that while some questions regarding the Pahalgam terror attack needed to be addressed, now was not the time to debate it. PIC/X

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar on Sunday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had adopted a mature approach during the all party meeting to discuss Tuesday's Pahalgam attack by acknowledging there was a shortcoming on the part of the government, reported news agency PTI.

Shah and Singh were among those who had attended the all-party meeting on Thursday, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Union government had called the meeting to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack. Pawar's daughter and Lok Sabha lawmaker Supriya Sule representing the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) at the meeting.

"One thing gave me a sense of satisfaction. The leaders at the helm, whether it be the country's Defence Minister or the Home Minister, adopted a very mature approach and acknowledged that somewhere there has been a shortcoming on 'our' (government's) part," Speaking Pawar stated about the meeting.

According to PTI, he also emphasised that while some questions regarding the Pahalgam terror attack needed to be addressed, now was not the time to debate it.

"If they have accepted that as a shortcoming, then today is not the time to debate it," he added.

Pawar stressed that the priority now was to create an atmosphere of trust and provide support to those affected by the attack, reported PTI.

Speaking at an event in Saswad in Pune district, he said, "The focus now is on how to rebuild trust in the lives of those who have been attacked."

Following the attack, Pawar said he personally reached out to his friends in Kashmir to reassure them that they were not alone. He also highlighted the collective response from the Kashmiri people, noting that thousands of them, both Hindus and Muslims, took to the streets the day after the attack to condemn terrorism.

"A majority of them were Muslims, but they all came out in unison, declaring 'we are all united,'" he added.

The NCP (SP) chief also said that he had spoken to Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who assured him that no matter the cost, the unity and bond of the region would not be broken.

"He [Abdullah] said whatever the cost, we will not let the unity and bond of this place break," Pawar said.

(With PTI inputs)