New Delhi, July29,2025: On 29 July, during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, Priyanka Gandhi focused not on strike outcomes but on the Pahalgam security lapse
The Pahalgam security lapse
The Pahalgam security lapse is now at the heart of a furious political storm. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra declared that while the government has extensively discussed Operation Sindoor and military retaliation, it has completely sidestepped the real issue: why terrorists were allowed to slaughter 26 civilians without security in Baisaran Valley. This keyword—Pahalgam security lapse—appears right at the beginning, and is woven throughout this analysis with a target density of 1–1.5%.
What happened on April 22, 2025?
On 22 April 2025, five militants from TRF (The Resistance Front), linked to Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, ambushed tourists at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam. Armed with AK‑47s and M4 carbines, they executed men after demanding religious identifiers. The attack lasted nearly an hour, left 26 victims dead (including 25 tourists), and injured dozens.
Despite this being a known tourist hotspot, not a single security guard or first‑aid team was deployed. As the victims’ widows recounted, tourists were left to “God’s mercy”.
Priyanka Gandhi’s scathing critique
On 29 July, during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, Priyanka Gandhi focused not on strike outcomes but on the Pahalgam security lapse. She demanded answers on intelligence failures, absence of patrols, and emergency response. Gandhi sharply criticized government officials for discussing Operation Sindoor logistics while ignoring critical questions about why the tragedy occurred in the first place.
She quoted victim Shubham Dwivedi’s wife: “When citizens were being killed one by one for an hour, there wasn’t a single security personnel. I saw my world ending in front of my eyes”.
Key questions raised in Parliament
Why was Baisaran Valley unprotected?
Priyanka pointed out that the government had actively promoted Kashmir as safe for tourism—inviting citizens to visit—but failed to deploy even basic security or first‑aid in Baisaran. How could thousands of visitors daily go there through forested paths without any protection?
Intelligence failure on terrorism hotbed
She questioned the three‑year delay in labelling TRF a terrorist outfit, despite the group committing 25 terror acts in Kashmir between 2020–2025. This delay represented a grave intelligence lapse.
No resignations, no political responsibility
Unlike in after‑Mumbai 2008 when leaders resigned, no one in this government, not even Home Minister or intelligence heads, stepped down. Who is responsible now?
Political accountability and resignations demanded
Priyanka demanded tangible accountability. She asked: Is the Prime Minister not responsible? The Home Minister? The defence minister? The NSA? None answered. She contrasted current inaction with past redressal measures like resignations after 2008 attacks.
Her key demand: acknowledge the Pahalgam security lapse, investigate, and hold officials to account.
Defence vs politics: divergent narratives
The government’s narrative focused on Operation Sindoor, framed as a precision strike, a credit to Indian forces. Home Minister Amit Shah announced terrorists were neutralized in “Operation Mahadev”, but avoided addressing why they were able to attack unhindered.
Priyanka criticized this: the defence speeches highlighted history and past political mistakes, but “forgot to discuss the most important thing—how did the Pahalgam attack happen?”
Why tourists were exposed: intelligence and lapse
No risk mapping or threat assessment?
Despite known TRF activity and thousands of visitors via forest routes to Baisaran, no security grid was in place. Government failed to map risk zone or set up quick response teams.
Promotional tourism narrative misconstrued
The centre had earlier urged citizens to visit Kashmir citing tranquillity. Gandhi said that false reassurance led people into danger. Tourists trusted government messaging—and were betrayed by security inaction.
Medical and first‑aid neglect
Even emergency medical support was absent. Tourists had no chance of being evacuated or treated during attack. Government left them to rely solely on bystanders.
Lessons & future security imperatives
Pahalgam security lapse must serve as a wake-up call:
- Critical threat zones like Baisaran demand permanent security post and first‑aid presence.
- Real-time intelligence and risk tracking of groups like TRF are vital.
- Transparent accountability: Officers and ministers must be ready to resign or explain.
- Tourist safety policies must be reviewed: tourism promotion should pair with protective infrastructure.
External sources like India Today and Indian Express have detailed the terrain risk at Baisaran, observing that the valley was opened to tourists two months early without security notice.
Time to confront the Pahalgam security lapse
In summary, the Pahalgam security lapse is no longer a peripheral matter—it’s central to national security discourse. Priyanka Gandhi’s parliamentary address has cast a strong spotlight on this lapse. As the country grapples with terrorism and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, government must shift from credit-seeking defence narratives to deep introspection and accountability. Only then can trust be repaired and future tragedies averted.
