'Terrorist can't ask religion while shooting': Karnataka minister stirs row on Pahalgam attack

Karnataka Minister RB Timmapur's remarks on Pahalgam attack have sparked a row.

After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah's remark that he was "not in favour of a war" with Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack sparked a row, Excise Minister RB Timmapur courted another controversy by saying that the terrorists would not have asked for religion while shooting.

While talking to the media, he told the media that he did not think the killers asked the targets' religion before shooting them.

“Which person will ask one’s caste and shoot? Is it possible? Think practically. He will go about shooting, who will have the patience to ask about one’s religion when shooting?" he asked, News18 reported.

The minister said the country is upset over the heinous attack and alleged that a "conspiracy" was being plotted to paint this as a religious issue. "I feel they didn't ask about religion when they were carrying out the terror attack. In case they did, there shouldn't be this madness of using such a statement to politicise the issue based on religion," the minister added.

26 civilians were brutally killed by terrorists at Baisaran valley in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Family members of multiple victims have said the terrorists went to each of them and asked about their religion. Those who said they were Hindu were shot dead.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan has responded strongly to the Karnataka Minister's remarks, describing them as "barbaric and wicked".

"The barbaric and wicked remarks of Karnataka Congress Minister Mr Thimmapur has insulted the integrity of the grieving families and humiliated the courageous sacrifice of the victims who were massacred in the Pakistan-backed Islamic terror attack in Pahalgam. Even in this hour of national mourning, the communal Congress party which has mortgaged its soul and conscience to its vote bank politics of religious appeasement is peddling," Kesavan said.