New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday strongly reacted to the statement of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the aftermath of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists and left many more injured, with the party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claiming that 'every time Pakistan does a terror attack', there appears to be a 'competition' among the Congress leaders to give 'clean chit' to Pakistan.

On April 26, Siddaramaiah said that he was not in favour of 'war' with Pakistan and cited concerns regarding 'security lapse' in the deadly terrorist attack, which killed 26 people. He called for strengthening security in the Kashmir valley to ensure peace.

'There has been a security lapse in this incident. We are not in favour of war. Steps should be taken to tighten security measures in the Kashmir region. The central government should increase security to ensure peace in Kashmir,' Siddaramaiah told reporters.

In response, BJP leader Poonawalla quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and told ANI: 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it absolutely clear that we have zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and we will go to the ends of the earth to punish the terrorists and the conspirators behind this Pahalgam attack. The templates against terror have changed after 26/11, we are no longer giving Pakistan the position of most favoured nation, we give 'Muh Tod Jawab' - Surgical strike, Balakot airstrike.

The BJP leader also referred to the statement of veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

'But on the other hand, Congress has such love and affection towards Pakistan that everytime Pakistan does a terror attack, there is a competition of defence among Congress leaders... We saw Robert Vadra, Mani Shankar Aiyar and now Karnataka CM... They want to give clean chit to Pakistan... They are being hailed among the Pakistani media and want to become the heroes of Pakistan...,' the BJP leader added.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

The government has said that terrorists responsible for a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and conspirators will face severe punishment. (ANI)