Were Pahalgam attackers homegrown terrorists? Massive controversy erupts over Chidambaram's statement

At a time when the Congress Party is facing challenges from its 4-time MP Shashi Tharoor, who has skipped Lok Sabha debate over Operation Sindoor, another veteran, P. Chidambaram, has triggered a massive controversy. The former Finance Minister has slammed the government for hiding the truth on India-Pakistan military clashes and the terrorist attack in Pahalagam, in which 26 unarmed civilians were killed. After he questioned the union government over the evidence proving killers came from Pakistan and said that they might be homegrown terrorists, the BJP attacked the party.

Talking to The Quint, the former Home Minister accused the government of not disclosing the investigation carried out by the NIA into the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He questioned, "Have they identified the terrorists? Where do they come from? I mean, for all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There's no evidence of that." This is in clear contrast to the Union government and the security agencies, which have maintained that the Pahalgam killers were Pakistan nationals.

Controversy erupts

The Congress veteran also accused the government of concealing the losses suffered in Operation Sindoor. He said, "They are also hiding the losses. I said it in a column that in a war, losses will occur on both sides. I understand that India would have suffered losses. Be upfront." Referring to UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the World War II, P Chidambaram said, "But losses are inevitable and natural in a war. So, admit the losses. I think they think they can put a large shroud on Operation Sindoor. It won't work."

P. Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous “Saffron Terror” theory, covers himself with glory yet again:

“Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do… pic.twitter.com/c32I1KzqOg

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 27, 2025

Reacting to Chidambaram's statement, the BJP came down heavily upon the Grand Old Party. Taking to X, Amit Malviya wrote in a social media post, "P Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that." 

Defending the former Finance Minister, Congress MP Imran Masood said that it was the Union government that gave a clean chit to Pakistan by agreeing to a ceasefire. He said, "You stopped the forces. You brought India and Pakistan to the same level on the global stage. The terrorists are still alive. Aren't you ashamed? If the Pahalgam killers are alive, every Indian should be ashamed."