Opposition corners centre over Pahalgam attack, security lapses questioned

At an all-party meeting held Thursday evening, Opposition leaders pressed the Centre for answers regarding the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Convened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, the meeting took place a day after the government unveiled a series of retaliatory actions against Pakistan.

Among the measures announced were the downgrading of diplomatic ties, the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and the closure of the Attari land-transit point.

During the meeting, sharp questions were raised over the security lapse in Baisaran, a scenic tourist meadow near Pahalgam where the deadly attack occurred. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the charge, joined by Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, all of whom demanded to know why no security personnel had been deployed in the area.

Government officials responded that Baisaran is typically brought under security coverage ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which officially begins in June. As per protocol, forces are stationed in the region only once the route is formally opened to accommodate pilgrims.

According to the Centre, local tour operators had begun taking tourists to the area starting April 20, well before any deployment was scheduled. They stated that the local administration was not alerted to this early influx, which led to the absence of security personnel at the time of the attack.

Another point of contention was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Opposition leaders questioned the logic behind halting a decades-old agreement when India lacks the storage infrastructure to fully utilise the water.

Government representatives clarified that the decision was not intended to yield immediate material benefits but was instead a symbolic and strategic move. “Suspending the treaty signals our intent. It’s a strong message to those who challenge our sovereignty and an indication of the path we are prepared to take,” officials said.

The meeting opened with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlining the broader security situation. Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka followed with a detailed 20-minute presentation covering the timeline of the Pahalgam attack, intelligence findings, and actions taken since.