‘Did govt have prior intel?’: Kharge raises doubts over PM Modi's cancelled Kashmir visit days before Pahalgam attack

Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday questioned the Centre over the Pahalgam terror attack, asking whether it had any prior intelligence inputs. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cancelled visit to Kashmir just three days before the attack, he sought to know if the government had any information related to the attack.

The Pahalgam terror attack, that took place on April 22, claimed 26 civilian lives -- most of who were tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir.

“Home Minister Amit Shah visited Kashmir on the 7th and 8th of April and claimed that under Modi Ji’s leadership, the anti-terror ecosystem has tripled. If that is the case, then how did those people manage to enter Pahalgam?” Kharge asked in Rajya Sabha.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his Kashmir visit three days before the attack. Did the government have prior knowledge of a possible attack because the trip to Kashmir was cancelled last moment? Yet, you allowed tourists to visit the place," the Congress President added further.

He also stated that he sought an answer from the government on this previously, but is yet to receive any response.

Kharge's remarks came during a discussion on Operation Sindoor -- India's retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack -- in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

Demanding accountability, the leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said the government should admit its 'lapses' and 'failure' in stopping terror attacks. He asked if Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor's statement on security lapses was aimed at "saving" the home minister.

"Jammu Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha himself admitted that Pahalgam was a security lapse and what happened in Pahalgam was unfortunate, innocent people were brutally killed. (Sinha said) I take all responsibility for the incident. However the home minister must take responsibility for security lapse not the LG," Kharge said.