Pahalgam attack: Several parties allege security failures

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the Pahalgam terror attack was a “planned one” and claimed it was an “intelligence failure” on the part of the Central government.

He also said he had asked the team of officials dispatched to Jammu and Kashmir to hire a special plane to bring back tourists from Karnataka stranded there.

“I feel this attack was a planned one. Whoever has done it, I condemn it. Terror attacks should not happen. Whichever caste or religion they are from, it is still the taking of a life. This is a major terror attack, which the Karnataka government strongly condemns,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bengaluru.

“I feel there is an intelligence failure of the Centre. In the past also, the Pulwama terror attack had happened,” he claimed.

He said he would not agree to any compromise on security and safety, and stressed that terrorists should be neutralised. He reiterated his strong condemnation of the Pahalgam attack, in which two tourists from Karnataka were among those killed.

“Already, I have sent a team of officials to Kashmir, including Karnataka labour minister Santosh Lad. I have instructed them to hire a plane and bring the tourists safely back to the state. I had also asked them to bring the bodies of the two slain tourists in the same plane, but the government of India has made arrangements to dispatch the bodies to the respective states,” Siddaramaiah said.

Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded that the government probe all angles of the attack, including the lack of security. In a statement issued in New Delhi, the Left party also extended condolences to the families of those who were killed.

“The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the barbaric killing of 28 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists. The CPI(M) extends its deepest condolences to the families of the innocent people who lost their lives in the attack.

“Several people have suffered serious injuries in the attack. The CPI(M) extends wishes for their speedy recovery,” the party said.

“The perpetrators of the horrific crime must be apprehended and punished. The police and security forces are under the Central Government. The Central Government must leave no stone unturned in bringing the forces responsible for the dastardly attack to justice,” the CPI(M) statement also said.

It said the perpetrators of the crime are the enemies of the nation and more so of the people of Kashmir. It is incumbent on the Central government to probe all angles of the attack, including the lack of security in crowded tourist places, the CPI(M) said.

“The CPI(M) stands united with the people of India in this hour of tragedy against the extremist fundamentalist forces,” the Left party added.

In similar vein, the TMC came down heavily on Union home minister Amit Shah, holding him “directly responsible” for the alleged security failure in the wake of the attack.

The 22 April attack on tourists left at least 26 dead, with several others critically injured. Among the deceased were three residents of West Bengal.

Senior leaders of the party condemned the incident and blamed it on “serious lapses” in intelligence gathering, surveillance mechanisms, and border vigilance.

“Amit Shah is answerable to the nation as home minister of the country. This is a colossal and unforgivable security and intelligence failure. He must resign,” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh claimed.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra posted on X, “Enough of the ‘All is well” narrative for J&K. Stop peddling fake narratives & take concrete action so innocent citizens don’t lose lives.”

Referring to media reports suggesting that intelligence agencies had general inputs about militant movements ahead of the attack, West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu questioned the home ministry’s preparedness.

“Why were terrorists allowed to reach #Pahalgam? Why didn’t the forces intervene to prevent this senseless massacre? This is Pulwama all over again. HM @AmitShah would be doing the nation a favour by resigning,” Basu posted on X.

Reacting sharply to the TMC’s criticism, BJP state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling party in West Bengal of politicising the tragedy during a time of mourning.

“The TMC will have enough time to do its cheap politics over dead bodies. But this is not the right time. The Centre and security agencies are doing everything to nab the culprits. The terrorists won’t be spared,” Majumdar told reporters.