'No confirmed info': Anil Deshmukh's comment on religious profiling by terrorists during Pahalgam attack sparks row

NEW DELHI: As outrage spreads across the country over the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 28 lives — mostly tourists — and left several others critically injured, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the heinous act.
However, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Anil Deshmukh has sparked controversy with his remarks on reports of religious profiling by the attackers.

Multiple survivors of the attack, which took place at the Baisaran meadow near the tourist town of Pahalgam on Tuesday, have alleged that the terrorists asked male victims their religion before opening fire — specifically targeting non-Muslims.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that civilians were targeted based on their religious identity.
“In Pahalgam, terrorists cowardly attacked innocent civilians purely on the basis of faith. I want to reaffirm India’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. I assure the nation that the government will take all necessary and appropriate actions in response to this heinous act,” Singh said.
However, offering a more cautious view, Deshmukh told news agency ANI: “There is no confirmed information on this yet. The truth will only emerge after a thorough investigation.”