New Delhi: Leaders from the Opposition and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners have been pointing fingers at the Narendra Modi-led government for intelligence failure in Pahalgam during the terror attack in Kashmir. However, they have supported the Prime Minister in his vow of retribution against the terrorists and Pakistan.
At least 26 people, including tourists, died Tuesday, allegedly after a group of four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, wearing body cameras and carrying AK-47 rifles, attacked them in Pahalgam at the Baisaran meadows, popularly known as ‘mini-Switzerland’.
The Centre has been facing backlash for the security vacuum at the crowded tourist spot.
NDA alliance partner Janata Dal (United) MP Devesh Chandra Thakur said that intelligence failure was one of the reasons behind the terror attack that led to the loss of 26 innocent lives, asking why the Army or police personnel were not present in Pahalgam’s Baisaran.
At a local gathering, Thakur, MP from Sitamarhi, said, “Terrorists gunned down innocent people who went there for tourism. For this brutal and barbaric attack, the Government of India should take revenge. For every deceased, there should be a hundred terrorist heads. Only then will the souls of those killed and their family members be at peace.”
Among others, the terrorists gunned down Manish Ranjan from the Rohtas district of Bihar. He worked as a section officer in the Intelligence Bureau and was on vacation with his family and two children in Pahalgam, where he was killed in front of his family.
“The terrorists were roaming freely and killing people. Why was there no security? … It shows security lapses on our part,” added Thakur.
When contacted, the MP told ThePrint, “There was a huge crowd and no security at that crowded tourist place … The security agencies should investigate the lapses. Why did the Army or police not conduct security risk profiling in such areas? It (the attack) is a warning for us. But now, the situation demands that we take revenge.“
General secretary of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, Ashok Kaul, who, on Wednesday, visited the hospital where people injured in the attack had been receiving treatment, also admitted that “there must have been a security lapse, which resulted in such a big-level terror attack”.
Kaul told ThePrint, “Since this tourist place is somewhat far from Pahalgam, the Army or police were not deployed there. But also, risk analysis of places tourists visit must be done to avoid such lapses.”
However, Kaul added, providing security at every place was impossible. Terrorists kept changing their hideouts, and the only option left for the security agencies was to take strict measures and eliminate them, he added.
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadre mounts pressure on the Modi government to avenge those killed, Opposition leaders have attacked the Modi government for the lapses, but leaders from within the BJP and its NDA allies have had a more restrained response, pointing out the gaps but showing confidence in the government and its ability to retaliate adequately against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, all parties have agreed on military action to restore public confidence and show that India is firm about protecting its citizens.
Congress leader and Jammu & Kashmir ex-deputy CM Nirmal Singh told ThePrint, “There must have been a sort of security lapse. Else, how did the terrorists hide in such a tourist place? Security personnel were not there, and these facts will be part of the investigations. But right now, the time has come to teach Pakistan a lesson and destroy their terror camp.”
Also Read: PM Modi’s plane on return from Jeddah skipped flying over Pakistan after Pahalgam attack.
Dealing with terror attacks
Soon after the terror attack, JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, earlier on Tuesday, demanded the elimination of all terrorist hideouts.
Speaking to ThePrint, Prasad said, “This is perhaps the biggest incident in recent years. We can say that the backbone of terrorism had earlier been broken [after Article 370 abrogation]. But this attack is an act that, once again, has created a global atmosphere in support of India against terrorism. It is time for the Indian Armed Forces, security agencies, intelligence wings, Kashmir Police, and responsible citizens to unite and eliminate all terrorist hideouts. Everyone involved in this attack must be exposed and hanged by the court of law.”
At a Bihar rally on Thursday, Modi promised retribution. Union minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, better known as Lalan Singh, later said, “Today, the Prime Minister’s heart remains filled with sadness due to Pahalgam, but the entire country is with you, Pradhan Mantri Ji, in giving a befitting reply. India, as after Pulwama, is with you.”
JD(U), earlier in the day, announced that due to the PM’s rally, their leaders would not participate in the all-party meeting on the Pahalgam issue, but that the party was with the Modi government in its decisions.
Similarly, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan has condemned the terrorist act, demanding military action against Pakistan. “The incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir, cannot be condemned enough. It is such a cowardly act through which the terrorists have unsuccessfully tried to create an atmosphere of terror in the country. I assure all, on behalf of myself and my government, that whoever is guilty will not be spared. There will be strict action. Today, in this hour of grief, I am also with the families who have lost their loved ones. There will be a befitting reply, for sure.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had received the body of the victim from the state. He also condemned the terror attack and supported the resolve of the government to deal with the extraordinary situation.
TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari told ThePrint, “We have asked the (Modi) government to take measures to eliminate terrorism. We are united with the countrymen to take firm action against the terrorist act—whatever action it decides on—TDP, as an NDA partner, is with the (Modi) government.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)