India Considered Striking Pakistan Post-26/11, Chidambaram Claims; BJP Reacts

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has claimed that the UPA government, led by Congress, considered but ultimately decided against retaliating against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks due to pressure from the global community.

“Two or three days after I took over, Condoleezza Rice met the Prime Minister and me, urging us not to react. I said it was a government decision, but an act of retribution did cross my mind,” Chidambaram said in an interview.

He added that then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed potential retaliation even as the attacks were unfolding, but advice from the Ministry of External Affairs and diplomats led the government to refrain from military action.

The 26/11 attacks, carried out by ten Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, claimed at least 160 lives over four days.

Chidambaram’s remarks drew criticism from the BJP. Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Too little, too late,” accusing Congress of mishandling the situation under foreign pressure. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also labelled Congress “anti-India,” claiming the party opposed retaliation against Pakistan post-26/11.