Senior Congress leader and former Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram has criticised the Modi-led BJP government for its opaque handling of the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military operation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In a recent interview, Chidambaram expressed concern over the government's refusal to share critical information related to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, most of them reportedly tourists.
“Where are the terrorist attackers? Why have you not apprehended them, or even identified them?” Chidambaram asked. He pointed to earlier reports suggesting arrests of individuals accused of sheltering the attackers but said their fate remains unclear.
The Congress leader, known for his vocal criticism of the ruling government’s handling of national security issues, said the absence of an official narrative raised suspicions of concealment.
“There is no clear and consistent communication from the government. We get snatches of information from various officers — the Chief of Defence Staff in Singapore, the deputy army chief in Mumbai, and even a naval officer in Indonesia — but the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Foreign Minister remain silent,” he said.
Chidambaram speculated that the Modi government may be withholding information regarding tactical errors during Operation Sindoor — a military response launched in the wake of the attack. “The CDS hinted at some strategic changes. What were the original tactics? What was changed, and why?” he questioned, adding that either the government lacks the competence to answer or is deliberately avoiding accountability.
He also voiced doubts over the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) probe into the attack. “They are unwilling to disclose what the NIA has done all these weeks. For all we know, these could be homegrown terrorists. Why assume they came from Pakistan when no evidence has been presented?” he said.
The former minister accused the government of concealing the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor, stating that it was important to be honest with the public. “In a war, both sides incur losses. There’s no shame in admitting that. Be upfront with the people,” he remarked.
Earlier in April, the Indian government admitted that security lapses contributed to the Pahalgam attack. The incident heightened tensions in the disputed region and led to a brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May.
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos
Following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation — codenamed Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos — targeting Indian military sites across the Line of Control (LoC) and other strategic regions.
According to Pakistan’s military, its forces downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and destroyed multiple surveillance drones. India did not confirm the extent of its losses but described the Pakistani response as "unprovoked aggression."
The 87-hour conflict ended on May 10 following a US-brokered ceasefire. US President Donald Trump claimed credit for de-escalating the conflict through direct talks and the threat of suspending ongoing trade negotiations with New Delhi.
While New Delhi has downplayed Washington’s role in brokering peace, Islamabad has formally acknowledged Trump’s intervention. Last month, Pakistan submitted a recommendation for Trump to be considered for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts in preventing a broader regional conflict.
Call for accountability
Chidambaram's remarks come amid growing pressure on the Modi government from opposition parties demanding transparency and accountability in matters of national security.
“The public has the right to know what happened in Pahalgam and what the government has done since then,” Chidambaram said. “A democracy cannot function in an atmosphere of secrecy and selective leaks.”
The BJP government has not issued a formal response to Chidambaram’s criticism. However, senior party figures have previously accused opposition leaders of politicising national security issues.
