New Delhi, April 25 – Indian lawmakers across the political spectrum pledged support to the government’s fight against terrorism on Thursday, as officials confirmed serious security lapses ahead of the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead.
During an all-party meeting on Thursday chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau and Ministry of Home Affairs said tourists had been allowed to access Baisaran meadow — the site of the attack — without police permission and in the absence of adequate security.
“It takes over two hours to reach the meadow by foot or pony, and no security personnel were stationed there on the day of the attack,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said following the meeting.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed attendees that more than 1,000 tourists had visited the area in the two days preceding the attack, despite its remote location and lack of surveillance. He added that communication signals had been unavailable within a 50-kilometre radius for several days prior, and the assailants had not used electronic devices, hampering intelligence-gathering efforts.
The incident, which took place on Tuesday, is the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi described the assault as a “glaring security failure” and criticised the government’s presentation, which he said highlighted past achievements rather than addressing the immediate lapses. “Thousands of people were roaming the area without any police awareness — that is simply astonishing,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi also raised concerns over the evolving tactics of terrorist groups, including the use of foreign-made weapons and ammunition sourced from Afghanistan, and questioned the preparedness of Indian security forces.
The attack has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum, including from regional parties and international leaders. During the meeting, Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), asked why security responses were delayed and whether any CRPF units had been removed from the area. Shah responded that the terrain posed significant access challenges and required a 45-minute trek for security forces to reach the site.
Telugu Desam Party MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu questioned whether India’s move to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for future Chinese actions regarding the Brahmaputra.
Despite political tensions, the meeting concluded with a rare show of unity, as leaders expressed solidarity with the victims and reiterated support for the government’s counter-terrorism efforts.
