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Informist, Thursday, Apr. 24, 2025

NEW DELHI – The opposition Congress Thursday raised questions about possible intelligence failures and security lapses in connection with Tuesday's terrorist attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, and demanded an enquiry into the matter. At a meeting convened to condemn the attack in which at least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, the Congress Working Committee expressed its "deepest shock" at and "condemnation" of the incident.

A resolution adopted by the committee noted that Pahalgam is a heavily guarded area, secured by a three-tier arrangement, and called for a comprehensive analysis of security lapses. "It is imperative that a comprehensive analysis is conducted into the intelligence failures and security lapses that enabled such an attack in a Union Territory--an area directly under the purview of the Union Home Ministry," the party's highest decision-making body said in its resolution. "These questions must be raised in the larger public interest. This is the only way justice can truly be seen to be served for the families whose lives have been so brutally devastated."

The party also urged the government to treat the security of pilgrims visiting the Amarnath shrine near Pahalgam as a national priority. "Robust, transparent, and proactive security arrangements must be put in place without delay," the working committee's resolution said. "The safety of pilgrims as well as the livelihoods of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom depend on tourism, must be protected with full sincerity and seriousness."

Appealing to the people of the country to remain calm in the face of grave provocation, the party said, "This cowardly and calculated act of terror, masterminded by Pakistan, is a direct assault on the values of our Republic. The deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country."

The Congress also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party at the Centre, of trying to exploit the incident to "sow further discord, mistrust, polarisation, and division at a time when unity and solidarity are most needed".

At least 26 people were killed and 16 injured when a group of about six terrorists shot at tourists on the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam. Some of the survivors told reporters that the killers had targeted men on the basis of religion.  End

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Rajeev Pai

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