Will enter their homes and kill: Abhishek Banerjee responds to Pak's Kolkata threat

Abhishek Banerjee was referring to remarks by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who recently warned that Kolkata could be targeted in the event of future hostilities between the two neighbours.

In Short

• Abhishek Banerjee criticised Centre's silence on Pakistan threats
• Pakistan Defence Minister warned Kolkata could be targeted in conflict
• Rajnath Singh promised decisive response to any misadventure

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Monday triggered a political storm after saying that once Mamata Banerjee and the INDIA alliance come to power, “we will enter their homes and kill them,” as he attacked the Centre over its response to Pakistan’s recent threat to Kolkata.

Speaking at an election rally in Siliguri, the TMC general secretary cited comments by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who recently warned that Kolkata could be a target in the event of future hostilities between India and Pakistan.

"Two days ago, Khawaja Asif said that they would blow up Kolkata. Our Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister remained silent. I have written the name of Khawaja Asif on my list. The day Mamata Banerjee and the INDIA alliance form a government, we will enter their homes and kill them," Banerjee said.

Continuing with his criticism, Banerjee said, "He is sitting in Pakistan and threatening to attack Kolkata, while our PM Narendra Modi is busy campaigning in Cooch Behar and asking people to remove the TMC," he said.

He also targeted Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for not reacting to Asif's threat. “Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh are silent. Shah calls us Bangladeshis and Pakistanis every day, but when Pakistan threatens Kolkata, he becomes a mute spectator,” Banerjee said.

PAKISTAN’S WARNING ON KOLKATA

Banerjee's response follows remarks by Asif over the weekend, in which he said that any future conflict with India would not remain confined to border areas. Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, he claimed that if India attempted a “false flag” operation, Pakistan would “take it to Kolkata”.

Asif also suggested, without providing evidence, that India could stage such an operation using “their own men or Pakistanis in their detention”. He further escalated his tone, saying that the next round of conflict would extend beyond a limited geographical zone.

“This time, the conflict will not remain limited. We will enter their territory and strike them inside their own homes,” he said.

INDIA’S RESPONSE AND POLITICAL FLASHPOINT

While India hasn't responded to Asif's latest statement on its own, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently said that any “misadventure” by Pakistan would invite an “unprecedented and decisive” response.

Referring to the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed, Singh said India’s response had made its position clear and that further provocations would be dealt with firmly.

The Pahalgam attack had triggered a four-day military escalation between the two countries. India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with missile and drone strikes. Pakistan responded with artillery fire, drones and missiles before a ceasefire was reached on May 10 after talks.

Banerjee’s comments come amid heightened political activity in West Bengal, where the TMC has repeatedly targeted the Centre over its handling of national security issues, while the BJP has previously accused the party of using aggressive language in its campaigns.

Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes will be held on May 4.

- Ends