Terror in Pahalgam: Opposition grills Centre over pre-attack security void

A series of questions and responses unfolded between the central government and opposition parties over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Just a day after retaliatory actions were announced against Pakistan, an all-party meeting was convened yesterday evening under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

During this meeting, the opposition strongly questioned the central government over security lapses at the exact site of the terror incident in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam. The main query raised was why security forces had not been deployed in that region prior to the attack.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi officially raised this concern, receiving support from several other leaders including Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh. They questioned the government over the absence of security personnel at that specific location ahead of the terrorist assault.

In response to these concerns, the central government provided an explanation in its characteristic style. It clarified that every year, security arrangements in the Baisaran region are typically tightened in advance of the Amarnath Yatra, which generally begins in June. The government stated that pilgrims on the Amarnath route often take rest in Baisaran, and to ensure their safety, the area is officially opened and secured with the deployment of troops during the pilgrimage period.

The government maintained that the attack occurred before the official commencement of the Yatra, and that was the reason security forces had not yet been stationed in the region. This was the central government’s response to the opposition’s queries regarding the lack of security presence at the time of the incident.