UK MP Priti Patel Urges Stronger UK-India Counterterrorism Ties After Kashmir Attack

United Kingdom Member of Parliament Priti Patel strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 tourists were brutally killed. Speaking in the UK House of Commons, Priti Patel expressed her condolences to the victims of the incident and called on the British government to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation with India.

Priti Patel stated, “On April 22 in Pahalgam, terrorists cruelly shot and killed 26 tourists. Many were shot at close range in the head. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all the victims of this horrific terrorist attack.” She expressed anguish that Pahalgam has now joined cities like Mumbai and New Delhi as a victim of major terror strikes.

While emphasizing the need to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, Priti Patel asserted that the United Kingdom must recognize the threat posed by terrorist organizations operating from Pakistan. “India has the right to take rational measures to defend itself and dismantle the vile terrorist infrastructure responsible for these deaths and persistent threats. We know that terrorist groups based in Pakistan are endangering both India and the interests of Western countries,” she said.

Highlighting India’s long history of facing terrorism and Pakistan’s past role in providing sanctuary to terrorists, Priti Patel stressed the importance of security collaboration between the United Kingdom and India. “Osama bin Laden was found hiding in Pakistan. The UK already has longstanding security cooperation agreements with India,” she reminded the House.

Following the attacks, Priti Patel questioned whether the British government had provided any specific security assistance to India. Referring to India’s assessment that the April 22 attacks were claimed by ‘The Resistance Front’, a group linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, she asked the minister whether the UK government agreed with this assessment. Patel further stated that Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to have connections with other global terrorist networks such as Hamas, and cited reports indicating that representatives of Hamas met with Lashkar-e-Taiba members earlier this year. She asked whether the UK government had any information on these links.

She also sought clarity on whether the British government is monitoring its aid to Pakistan to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands.