Jammu and Kashmir LG, Manoj Sinha, has taken full responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, nearly three months after the incident happened, which claimed the lives of 26 people, TOI reported. He, as per the outlet, further said that although the terrorists have been identified, the police have yet to nab them.
‘I take full responsibility for the attack’
LG Manoj Sinha said that he takes “full responsibility” for the attack and added that it was indeed a “security failure”.
“What happened in Pahalgam was very unfortunate; innocent people were brutally killed. I take full responsibility for the incident, which was undoubtedly a security failure. The common belief here has been that terrorists do not target tourists. The location where the attack took place is an open meadow,” Sinha said in an interview with TOI.
‘No facility or room for security forces’
The second LG of J&K, who assumed charge in 2020, also revealed a startling detail. He admitted that the place where the incident took place is an open meadow and that there was no facility or room for security forces to be present there.
“There is no facility or room for security forces to be present there,” he told the national daily, before adding, “This was a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack. The arrests made by NIA in the case corroborate local involvement, but it would still be wrong to conclude that the security environment in J&K stands completely vitiated.” He also added that shutdowns in the Valley and stone pelting incidents have become a thing of the past.
‘Identified terrorists but couldn’t lay their hands on them’
He also responded to a question on where the perpetrators, who committed the heinous attack against the tourists, could be. LG Sinha, who is a seasoned politician from Uttar Pradesh, said that while the terrorists have been identified, they have not been arrested yet. He also said that the agencies have been hoping for an “early breakthrough”.
“Army and other forces laid multiple cordons in the wake of the attack, but couldn’t lay their hands on the attackers. The terrorists have been identified, and investigative agencies are on their trail. We hope for an early breakthrough,” he further told TOI.
‘No attack since Op Sindoor’
He has also claimed that since India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan on May 7, no attack has been witnessed in the Valley. India carried out precision strikes on nine terror hotbeds in Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Operation Sindoor has drawn red lines for Pakistan. India has made it clear that any terror attack will be considered an act of war,” he further told TOI.
LG Sinha also told the publication that local terror recruitment is at an all-time low, with just one incident this year. He claimed that this number was earlier used to be at 150-200.