Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi received intelligence inputs warning of a possible terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir just days before the April 22 assault in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. Citing media reports, Kharge claimed the PM cancelled his planned visit to the region after receiving the alert three days prior to the incident.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kharge questioned the government’s handling of the situation. “There was an intelligence failure the government has accepted this and said it would take corrective steps. But if they already had the information, why weren’t adequate security arrangements made?” he asked.
Kharge’s comments come after an all-party meeting held on April 24, where, according to sources cited by Media, the central government admitted to lapses in security. Opposition leaders were reportedly told that local authorities had failed to alert security agencies before opening the Baisaran area in Anantnag district, which usually remains off-limits to tourists until the Amarnath Yatra begins in June.
Meanwhile, a PTI report quoting an official familiar with the matter said intelligence agencies had earlier flagged possible threats to tourists, especially those lodging on the outskirts of Srinagar near the Zabarwan foothills.
The same report noted that security agencies had also picked up chatter about a possible terror strike coinciding with Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to inaugurate the Katra-Srinagar train service. Though it was initially set for April 19, officials cited adverse weather conditions, including strong winds in Katra, as the reason for postponing the trip.