Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 27 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari on Sunday expressed grief over the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, saying that the terrorists have attacked the soul of this country. He added that 140 crore people in the country were demanding that the government take strict steps.

'The terrorists have not only killed the people but have also attacked the soul of this country. Rahul Gandhi has said that we are with the government in every decision. 140 crore people demand that the government should take strict steps and take whatever decision it deems appropriate,' Patwari told reporters here.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that all opposition parties condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam during an all-party meeting and offered full support to the government in taking any necessary action.

After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Gandhi said, 'Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action.'

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday lashed out at Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over his 'either water or blood will flow' remarks, stating that his statement won't make a difference since the neighbouring country was habitual in making 'futile statements'.

'Blood is already flowing in Pakistan. Al-Qaeda is beating them from one side and Afghanistan from the other... We have already shown them what we can do. He is still a child like he was earlier. It is Pakistan's old habit to make such futile statements,' Ghosh told reporters here.

His reaction comes after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made a controversial statement, threatening India over the suspension of the Indus water treaty, which allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India.

The terror attack in Pahalgam has shaken the country, with people mourning the loss of those who were gunned down by terrorists. The deadly incident has intensified diplomatic responses amid heightened security concerns between the two neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, stationed at the Pahalgam terror attack site since April 23, have intensified the search for evidence.

The teams, led by an IG, DIG, and SP from the anti-terror agency, are questioning eyewitnesses who observed the April 22 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen, and left over three dozen others injured. The incident occurred around 2 pm at Baisaran meadow, near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army is on high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.

Acting on the recent attack, the Indian government suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, downgrading bilateral ties and shutting down Attari checkpost as it hit back at Islamabad over the brazen attack. (ANI)