Key Points
- Congress questions security and intelligence lapses after Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
- Party demands Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, asks if PM Modi will take responsibility.
- Opposition unites in all-party meeting, pledges support for action but insists on accountability.
- Rahul Gandhi visits Kashmir, meets victims, and calls for national unity against terrorism.
- Attackers targeted tourists, with survivors recounting harrowing details of the assault.
- Government announces strong countermeasures against Pakistan, including suspension of Indus Waters Treaty.
New Delhi: The aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir has seen the Congress party intensify its criticism of the central government, demanding answers and accountability for what it calls a grave security and intelligence failure. The attack, which claimed 26 lives including tourists from across India and abroad has sparked national outrage and renewed debate over security in the region.
Congress Raises Tough Questions, Demands Resignation
In a series of posts and a video on its official X handle, Congress directly questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s leadership, asking, “Will the Home Minister resign from his post after this attack?” The party also demanded to know how such a significant intelligence failure occurred and how terrorists managed to cross the border and strike in a region known for its three-tier security system. Congress further pressed whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take responsibility for the lapses that led to this tragedy.
All-Party Meeting: Unity and Accountability
Following the attack, an emergency Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was held to discuss the incident and the party’s response. While the Congress initially called for unity and collective resolve, leaders soon emphasized the need to highlight the security and intelligence lapses that “enabled” the outrage. The CWC resolution stated, “Pahalgam is known to be a heavily guarded area, secured by a three-tier security arrangement. 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”.
At the all-party meeting convened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge pressed the government on why no security forces were present at Baisaran, the meadow where the attack took place. The government responded that the area is usually secured ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which was yet to begin.
Rahul Gandhi Visits Kashmir, Calls for National Unity
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, visited Jammu and Kashmir to meet with survivors and local officials. He expressed deep sorrow for the victims and called for the country to stand united against efforts to divide society. “It is very important that every Indian should be united and stand together so that we can thwart the efforts being made by the terrorists,” Gandhi said, emphasizing that the attack was meant to provoke communal tension and must not succeed in dividing the nation.
Survivors’ Accounts and Security Criticism
Eyewitnesses described how five to six terrorists, emerging from pine forests, targeted tourists in Baisaran meadow known as “mini Switzerland.” Survivors recounted being separated by religion before the attackers opened fire, with no immediate security response. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Government’s Response and Political Fallout
In response to the outrage, the government announced strong measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani nationals. Security has been ramped up across the Kashmir Valley, and investigations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, opposition parties—including Congress and TMC have demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, calling the incident a “colossal and unforgivable” failure of security and intelligence.
Nationwide Condemnation and Calls for Justice
Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the attack, with calls for unity and justice for the victims. The Congress has stressed that only by addressing these failures and ensuring accountability can justice truly be served for the families affected by this brutal act.
The Pahalgam terror attack has become a defining moment in the ongoing debate over security and governance in Jammu and Kashmir, with Congress and other opposition parties insisting on a thorough investigation and accountability at the highest levels.
