Overview

• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that war with Pakistan should only occur if unavoidable, walking back earlier comments perceived as rejecting war entirely.
• He reiterated his criticism of the central government, citing intelligence lapses and inadequate security measures as contributing factors to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
• The BJP condemned Siddaramaiah's remarks, with leaders accusing him of undermining national unity and demanding a public apology.
• Deputy CM D K Shivakumar avoided directly commenting on Siddaramaiah's statements but emphasized Congress's commitment to protecting India's unity and security.
• Pakistan media highlighted Siddaramaiah's remarks to underscore internal dissent in India over war and security policies, fueling further political tensions.