Pahalgam attack: Congress asks whom J&K L-G Manoj Sinha is trying to ‘protect’

Reacting to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha’s admission that there was a security lapse at Pahalgam and he took full responsibility for the April 22 terror attack that left 26 tourists dead, the Congress on Monday (July 14, 2025) asked whom Mr. Sinha was trying to “protect”.

“The much-delayed acceptance of responsibility by L-G Manoj Sinha is an insult to all those innocent tourists who lost their lives in Pahalgam terror attack. Who is the L-G protecting? Where is the accountability?” Congress’ media and publicity head Pawan Khera asked in a post on X.

His party colleague and Lok Sabha member from Tamil Nadu, Manickam Tagore, questioned the timing of Mr. Sinha’s statement and bluntly apportioned the blame on the Centre.

“Before six days to Parliament session, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha calls the Pahalgam terror attack a ‘security lapse’ and takes ‘full responsibility’. But in J&K, the real control lies with the Union Home Ministry under Amit Shah. Why is he silent after 90 terror-related deaths this year?” Mr. Tagore asked.

The Lok Sabha member said the Narendra Modi government promised a “new era of peace” in Kashmir after abrogating Article 370 but 90 people died due to terrorist attacks this year alone.

“The L-G admits the Pahalgam attack was Pakistan-backed, targeted tourists, and happened in a high-security zone. Then how did terrorists breach security so easily? Who was in charge of intel and preparedness? Answer: Amit Shah’s Home Ministry. If the Union Govt. claims credit for all development in J&K…It must also own the failures of security. You can’t take the photo-ops and dodge the bloodshed. 90 dead in a year is not normal,” Mr. Tagore said on X.

“Let’s be clear: This is not just a local failure. It’s a central failure — by the Modi govt. and the Home Ministry. The people of Jammu & Kashmir — and India — deserve answers, not slogans,” he added.