The deadly attack in the occupied Kashmiri town of Pahalgam has laid bare the alarming state of India’s internal security, with the Modi-led government facing fierce criticism from opposition parties over its failure to protect civilians—even in one of the region’s most heavily militarized zones.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have placed the blame squarely on the Modi government, raising five pressing questions that have shaken the Indian establishment: How was the Pahalgam attack allowed to happen in a region under such tight surveillance? What led to the catastrophic intelligence failure? If the attackers crossed the border, how did they evade Indian forces? Who is accountable for the deaths of 26 people? And will Home Minister Amit Shah resign, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepts responsibility?
The questions were raised a day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in an all-parties conference held in New Delhi, conceded that the Pahalgam incident was a result of security and intelligence lapses—an admission that undermines India’s narrative of control over the occupied territory.
Even Home Minister Amit Shah was forced to acknowledge the intelligence and security failure, marking a rare moment of public embarrassment for the BJP-led government.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi went further, demanding to know why Pahalgam lacked adequate security despite being a sensitive and high-profile tourist destination. He termed the incident a grave reflection of New Delhi’s inability to manage the situation in occupied Kashmir.
The attack occurred on Tuesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 and injuring 12. Among the dead were two foreign nationals—from Italy and Israel—and a serving officer of the Indian Navy.
Analysts say the incident not only exposes the fault lines within India’s security apparatus but also raises serious questions about the legitimacy of New Delhi’s claims in the region. Observers in Pakistan noted that the attack reflects growing instability within India’s own borders, and underlines the need for a just resolution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
