While strongly condemning the attack, the Congress wanted the government to take all "aspects into consideration" before taking a call on the dialogue process. "It is a national security issue and it should be best left to the government. It is for the government to take all the issues into consideration and take a strong stand in the interest of national security," said general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

Spokesperson P C Chacko said the solution was not war, but "peace, dialogue and discussion". He said the government has pursued a policy of friendship with neighbours.

The party also defended Defence Minister A K Antony, who is in the BJP's line of fire, and in a counter attack spoke about NDA government's track record of dealing with Pakistan. The Congress also released figures of infiltration, terror incidents and civilian deaths in J&K during the NDA and UPA time to counter the BJP criticism.