Pahalgam Attack a Serious Security Failure, I Take Full Responsibility: LG Manoj Sinha
Says Terror Strike Was Aimed at Disrupting Kashmir’s Economic Resurgence, Not a Sign of Terror Revival
JAMMU, July 14: In a candid and forthright admission, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has termed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, as a grave security lapse. Speaking in an exclusive interview with a national daily, the Lieutenant Governor took personal responsibility for the incident, calling it a clear act of cross-border terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan to derail Jammu and Kashmir’s growing economic stability and thriving tourism sector.
The attack took place at Baisaran Valley in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam and left the region in shock. LG Sinha made it unequivocally clear that this incident was not an indicator of a wider resurgence of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, but rather a strategic attempt by Pakistan to destabilize peace and create panic, especially at a time when Kashmir was witnessing an unprecedented tourist boom.
“The timing and location of the attack were chosen deliberately to inflict maximum psychological and economic damage,” said Sinha, adding that Pakistan’s objective was not only to disrupt peace in the Valley but also to provoke a communal backlash against Kashmiris living in other parts of the country. He underscored that the real motive behind such a heinous act was to reverse the economic progress that the region has steadily achieved over the past five years.
In response to the attack, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor from May 6 to 10, targeting terrorist infrastructure and military positions deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official reports, a significant number of militants and training camps were neutralized during the operation, sending a strong message of zero tolerance toward cross-border terrorism.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the Pahalgam incident, the Lieutenant Governor reassured citizens that Jammu and Kashmir’s internal security situation remains largely under control. He pointed to a sharp decline in local terrorist recruitment as a positive trend, revealing that only a single case of local youth joining terror ranks has been reported so far this year. “This is in stark contrast to previous years, where such numbers used to range between 150 and 200,” he noted.
Despite this, Sinha did not shy away from stating that Pakistan continues to facilitate infiltration of foreign terrorists into both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. This, he said, remains a constant challenge and requires a vigilant, coordinated response from security agencies and the administration.
Reacting to the aftermath of the April 22 incident, Sinha noted that several tourist locations that were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure have now gradually reopened, with more set to welcome visitors once comprehensive security protocols are in place. “Tourism is the lifeline of the region’s economy, and we are committed to safeguarding both the lives of tourists and the reputation of Jammu and Kashmir as a safe travel destination,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence in the preparedness and resolve of the Union Home Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, and India’s intelligence agencies. He emphasized that all stakeholders are working in close coordination to pre-empt any future threats and ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur.
Importantly, LG Sinha lauded the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their strong condemnation of the terror attack. “The spontaneous and widespread public outrage against the Pahalgam attack, particularly from ordinary Kashmiris, was a powerful rebuttal to the forces trying to destabilize our peace. It reflects a changing mindset—one that rejects violence and embraces peace and progress,” he remarked.
