In a significant development following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) acknowledged a security lapse during an all-party meeting held on April 24, 2025. The officials admitted that the attack was unforeseen, marking a deviation from previous patterns of terrorist activities in the region.
The meeting, convened in New Delhi, was attended by key political figures, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju briefed the media, stating that the attack was unexpected, especially in areas like Pahalgam and Anantnag, which had not been targeted before due to their significance in tourism and local livelihoods.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi were among those who raised alarms about the apparent lapse in intelligence. Kharge highlighted the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the meeting, suggesting that his presence would have been appropriate given the gravity of the situation. Despite these concerns, opposition parties extended their support to the government’s efforts in combating terrorism.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and emphasized that India has consistently taken strong actions against such threats. He assured that the government would continue to take decisive measures to safeguard national security.
The all-party meeting concluded with a unified stance against terrorism, with all participants agreeing on the necessity of a collective and robust response. The consensus underscores the importance of political unity in addressing national security challenges.
The Pahalgam attack has prompted a reevaluation of security protocols and intelligence strategies, particularly in regions previously considered low-risk. The government is expected to implement enhanced surveillance and preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future.
