On Thursday, the Congress condemned the "cowardly" Pahalgam attack, which it claimed was masterminded by Pakistan and was a direct attack on the "values of our republic." The party also accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy to sow division and polarize the nation when unity is needed most.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, adopted a resolution expressing deep shock and condemnation of the terrorist attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and left over 20 others seriously injured. The CWC extended its condolences to the victims' families and affirmed its support during this difficult time.

The resolution stated that the attack, which targeted Hindus, was a deliberate attempt to inflame passions across the country. The CWC urged calm in response to the provocation and reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to combating cross-border terrorism with unity and determination. At a press conference, Congress leaders K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, and Pawan Khera also paid tribute to local ponywalas and tourist guides, one of whom was killed while trying to protect tourists and uphold India's values.

The resolution noted that while the massacre had been widely condemned by political parties and citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, it was concerning that the BJP was using the tragedy to create further division and mistrust, rather than promoting unity. Venugopal emphasized that the Congress, as a responsible opposition, would focus on questions related to security and intelligence failures that led to the attack and expects answers from the government.

Additionally, the Congress announced that it would hold candle marches across the country on April 25 to honor the victims and protest against terrorism. The CWC called for a thorough investigation into the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur, especially in Pahalgam, a highly secured area. The resolution stressed that these questions must be raised to ensure justice for the victims and their families. With the Amarnath Yatra approaching, the CWC emphasized that the safety of pilgrims should be treated as a national priority. It called for swift, transparent, and proactive security measures to protect both the pilgrims and the livelihoods of those dependent on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.