 "FBI Director Kash Patel. Reuters File")
The US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director condemned the devastating Pahalgam attack , assuring ‘full support’ to India during the turbulent time. On April 22, terrorists infiltrated tourist spots in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 people and sending shockwaves across India. While giving his take on the matter, Patel called the attack a stark reminder of the global threat of terrorism.
The remarks from the Indian-origin FBI director came in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. In his post, Patel also extended condolences to the families of the victims of the attack. He said that his department would fully support the Indian government.
“The FBI sends our condolences to all the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir — and will continue offering our full support to the Indian government,” Patel said in the post on Saturday. “This is a reminder of the constant threats our world faces from the evils of terrorism. Pray for those affected. Thank you to the men and women of law enforcement who answer the call in moments like these,” he added.
US support to India
The United States has been outright critical of the Pahalgam terror attack and has extended support to India on numerous occasions. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump called the attack a “bad one” . However, he was hesitant to pick sides.
“I am very close to India and I’m very close to Pakistan, as you know, and they’ve had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for a thousand years, probably longer than that, and it (terrorist attack) was a bad one yesterday, that (terrorist attack) was a bad one, over 30 people,” he said.
When asked further about the conflict, Trump went on to inaccurately claim that the Kashmir issue is 1,500 years old. “Tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, it’s been the same, but I am sure they’ll get it figured out one way or the other. I know both leaders, there’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been,” he added.
Shortly before this assertion, Trump made a phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemning the terror attack. He expressed full support to India to bring the perpetrators of the ‘heinous attack’ to justice.
Meanwhile, the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs made its stand clear after it shared a post in which it corrected an NYT article, which referred to the gunmen as “militants” and not terrorists.
With inputs from agencies.