Karra blames Centre for intelligence, security lapse in Pahalgam attack

Ex-legislator re-joins Congress

Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, May 21: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra today accused the BJP-led Central Government of serious intelligence and security failures in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, claiming it ignored prior warnings about a possible strike.

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Karra was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function held to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The Congress chief questioned why adequate security arrangements were not made at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam despite reported intelligence inputs. “We are hearing that intelligence agencies had alerted about a potential terror attack three days before the April 22 incident. Why did not the Government increase security? How did the terrorists manage to reach the spot when the Government claims militancy has ended and the situation is peaceful? These are the questions the nation wants answers to,” Karra said.
Karra also criticised the Government over its alleged acceptance of a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan at the behest of U.S. President Donald Trump, insisting that all matters between the two countries are bilateral.
“A tweet comes from America (Donald Trump) that a ceasefire has been agreed upon, and it is accepted here. Whether it is war or trade, issues between India and Pakistan are bilateral. There is no scope for third-party intervention,” he added.
Taking a swipe at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Karra questioned the Government’s approach to military operations. “Our External Affairs Minister says we informed Pakistan in advance about the missile strikes on terror infrastructure. Are wars fought like this? Do you give advance notice before striking?” he said.
Meanwhile, in a political development, former Devsar MLA Mohammad Amin Bhat returned to the Congress, just three days after resigning from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) led by Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Bhat, who was elected to the J&K Assembly on a Congress ticket in 2014, had previously quit the party to join Azad’s DPAP. However, he resigned from Azad’s party on Sunday without citing any reasons.
Later, a massive Jai Hind rally was taken out by the Congress party on the martyrdom day of former Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi
Aa part of nationwide call of AICC, a massive Jai Hind Sabha was held at Khanabal Anantnag today, followed by an impressive Jai Hind Yatra in the area, carrying national flag and raising slogans in favour of armed forces and the nation.
Led by J&K Pradesh Congress Committee(JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra alongwith AICC general secretary & CLP Leader G A Mir, former PCC president Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed, Working president Raman Bhalla, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, Th Balbir Singh, S S Channi Ex MLA Amin Bhat, Satish Sharma, DCC president Anantnag, DCC president Kulgam, Abdul Rashid Lone and other senior Congress, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress leaders, the Yatra passed through surrounding areas displaying support and solidarity with the armed forces & message of unity and brotherhood.
Saluting the armed forces for their bravery valour and discipline, JKPCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra raised series of questions on the issue of failures of internal security, foreign policy besides Foreign minister Jaishankar ‘s admission of giving advance information to Pakistan before start of operation Sindhoor and the third-party announcement by US of cease fire between two countries.

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