Kharge Alleges Modi Cancelled J&K Visit Due to Intel Report Before Pahalgam Attack

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday (May 6) alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his visit to Jammu and Kashmir three days before the Pahalgam terror attack after he received intelligence that there were security concerns.

Addressing a ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ rally in Jharkhand’s Ranchi, Kharge questioned Modi for not informing security forces about the intelligence report prior to the terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed.

“What is happening in the country is in front of you. On April 22, a major terrorist attack took place in the country, in which 26 innocent people were killed. The government admitted that there was an intelligence failure and it needed to be rectified,” he said.

“When the government knows this, then why were better arrangements not made earlier? I have been informed and it has come in some newspaper reports that three days prior to the attack, there was an intelligence report sent to Modi, and because of that he cancelled his programme to Kashmir. When intelligence tells him that it is not safe for you to go there, then why didn't you inform the security, police, border force?”

Modi was scheduled to visit Jammu on April 19 to inaugurate the first Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra and Srinagar.

Following Kharge’s remarks, the BJP hit back and said that the Congress president’s remarks were “irresponsible”.

“What has happened to Mallikarjun Kharge? On one hand, they claim in meetings that they stand with the country, and on the other, they are trying to weaken the nation,” said BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.

“This is a matter of national security and now to say that the prime minister did not go to Kashmir because he had an intelligence report – can anything be more irresponsible?

“Today, the entire country is united, standing with the government, with the nation, a mock drill is being conducted in the country, and you are saying that the PM did not go to Kashmir deliberately? This is very unfortunate, very hurtful,” he added.