Sat Apr 26 01:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pahalgham Attack: Security Lapse Alleged After Tourists Allowed in Restricted Area

**NEW DELHI** – The opposition is alleging a major security lapse in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgham, Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that the government’s response was inadequate. This issue was raised during an all-party meeting in Delhi.

According to reports in several English news outlets, the central government revealed that local authorities permitted tourists to enter the Baisaran valley, the site of the attack, without informing security personnel. This, they claim, contributed to the vulnerability.

Opposition parties questioned the whereabouts of security forces, including the CRPF, during the attack. A central minister responded, stating that access to Baisaran valley is typically restricted until the Amarnath Yatra commences in June. However, this year, local authorities allowed tourists without notifying security agencies. The minister further highlighted the lack of a standard operating procedure for handling emergencies in the remote, mountainous area, which requires a 45-minute trek to reach.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, questioning how thousands of tourists could be present in the area without the government’s knowledge. Another MP, Supriya Sule, pointedly asked how Maharashtra-based travel agencies could know about the opening of Baisaran valley while security personnel remained unaware.

The April 22nd attack in Baisaran, often called “Mini Switzerland,” resulted in the deaths of 26 people after terrorists, disguised as soldiers, opened fire on tourists. The valley’s popularity as a summer tourist destination, accessible by trek or horseback, is believed to have made it a target.

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