During an all-party meeting on April 24, 2025, convened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Opposition sharply questioned the Centre over security lapses in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.
The meeting followed the government’s announcement of retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including downgrading diplomatic ties, expelling Pakistani military attaches, suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the Attari border crossing.
The opposition, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and supported by Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, is demanding answers regarding the lack of security forces deployed at Baisaran, the tourist meadow near Pahalgam where the attack took place.
#PahalgamTerrorAttack | Inside Track of the All-Party Meeting
What the Centre informed the Opposition:
'Hotel owners opened the premises without informing the police'
'Hotels were opened a month earlier than scheduled'
'No security domination exercise was conducted'… pic.twitter.com/clkhqXBL9Q
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 24, 2025The Centre clarified that authorities usually secure Baisaran before the Amarnath Yatra in June, deploying security forces to protect the pilgrims. However, local tour operators began guiding tourists to the area on April 20 before the official pilgrimage season without notifying the local administration, compromising site security.
The Opposition also questioned the rationale behind suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, given India’s limited water storage capacity. Government officials clarified that the suspension was a symbolic and strategic move to signal India’s firm stance against Pakistan.
Modi Govt has finally accepted Security Lapse in #PahalgamTerroristAttack , during all party meetings.
“There have been a few lapses from our end” – #KirenRijiju , union Minister.#Pahalgam #PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/0qrjj914NF
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) April 24, 2025Read: India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty, Cuts Pakistan Ties After Pahalgam Attack
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the meeting with an overview of the security situation, followed by a 20-minute presentation from Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka detailing the attack’s sequence, intelligence inputs, and subsequent actions. Attendees included prominent leaders such as BJP President JP Nadda, Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), Praful Patel (NCP), Sasmit Patra (BJD), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), Premchand Gupta (RJD), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), and Ram Gopal Yadav (SP).
The Pahalgam attack has intensified India-Pakistan tensions, with both nations taking escalatory measures. The all-party meeting underscored the need for accountability and strategic clarity as India navigates this crisis.
