Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly criticised the security and intelligence failure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including tourists and civilians. Terming it a “clear failure”, Abdullah questioned the lack of accountability and demanded immediate action from the Centre.

“Who is responsible for this failure? If it is an intelligence lapse, then someone must be held accountable. It is not acceptable that 26 people lose their lives and there is no response or responsibility fixed,” he said on Tuesday.

“Accountability Is Non-Negotiable”

Abdullah emphasised that once a lapse is identified, accountability must follow. “Now that it’s evident there has been a security and intelligence failure, we need to see action. Someone must answer for this,” he added, urging the central government to initiate corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

BJP Responds, Says Attack Was Unexpected

Responding to Abdullah’s remarks, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana accused opposition leaders of trying to remain politically relevant through such statements.

“The Pahalgam attack was unexpected and tragic. However, the forces have swiftly neutralised those behind the attack,” Khatana said in Delhi, defending the government’s security response.

Statehood Demand Resurfaces

The Pahalgam attack also reignited the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Omar Abdullah thanked Congress leaders for voicing their support.

“We are not demanding anything new. We were promised statehood on multiple occasions. Now, that promise should be fulfilled,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi jointly wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The letter also called for Ladakh's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, aimed at safeguarding the region’s tribal communities.

The Congress urged that appropriate legislation be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

(With inputs from PTI)