Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha admitted that the Pahalgam terror attack was a ‘security failure’ and took responsibility for it. He also lamented that though the terrorists involved in the attack have been identified, security forces are yet to get to them.
On April 22, terrorists shot dead 26 people – mainly tourists from across the country – in the Baisaran Meadow about 6.5 km from Pahalgam. India responded by launching Operation Sindoor against terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir on May 7 and a four-day conflict between the two nations followed.
“What happened in Pahalgam was very unfortunate; innocent people were brutally killed. I take full responsibility for the incident, which was undoubtedly a security failure. The common belief here has been that terrorists do not target tourists. The location where the attack took place is an open meadow,” Sinha said in an interview with TOI.
The LG also brought to light an important infrastructural lapse that exists by revealing that there are no facilities or shelters for security forces to be stationed near the Baisaran Meadow, a major tourist attraction in the Valley.
“There is no facility or room for security forces to be present there,” before adding, “This was a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack. The arrests made by NIA in the case corroborate local involvement, but it would still be wrong to conclude that the security environment in J&K stands completely vitiated.”
Sinha, in response to a question on where the terrorists involved in the carnage could be at the moment, said that while the terrorists have been identified, they have not been arrested yet. He also said that the agencies have been hoping for an ‘early breakthrough’.
“The Army and other forces laid multiple cordons in the wake of the attack, but couldn’t lay their hands on the attackers. The terrorists have been identified, and investigative agencies are on their trail. We hope for an early breakthrough,” he told the national daily.
The LG pointed to a positive development and said that there have been no further terror strikes in the Valley since India launched Operation Sindoor.
“Operation Sindoor has drawn red lines for Pakistan. India has made it clear that any terror attack will be considered an act of war,” he said, adding that local terror recruitment is at an all-time low, with just one incident this year. It used to be 150-200 earlier.