Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi seeks answers on Pahalgam intel lapse, abrupt end to operations

New Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the government in Lok Sabha over the Pahalgam terror strike, questioning how the terrorists reached Baisaran valley on April 22 and why they remained at large even 100 days later.

Opening the Opposition's debate on Operation Sindoor, Gogoi demanded answers on several issues - including US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan's admission that India suffered air losses. He also criticised the government's decision to halt the operation after Pakistan's climbdown, asking why India didn't reclaim territory under Pakistani occupation.

"The entire country, including the Opposition, stood behind PM Modi. Then suddenly, on May 10, there was a ceasefire. Why? If Pakistan was ready to surrender, why did we stop? Who did we surrender to? Donald Trump has said 26 times that he forced both countries to announce a ceasefire," Gogoi said.


He slammed the government's failure to track down the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack. "It's been 100 days, but the five terrorists are still free. You have drones, Pegasus, satellites, CRPF, BSF, CISF, and even the Defence Minister visited - but you still couldn't catch them. It took an hour for an ambulance to reach Baisaran. The Army came on foot." Gogoi said.

Holding Union home minister Amit Shah accountable, Gogoi said the Centre could not hide behind Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. "Who takes responsibility? The LG? No - it's the Union Home Minister who must be accountable. And the government blaming tour operators for taking people to Baisaran is cowardly," he said.

Gogoi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the site after returning from Saudi Arabia. "Instead of going to Pahalgam, the PM went to Bihar and delivered an election speech. It was Rahul Gandhi who visited the victims," he added.