Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prior knowledge of the impending terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, but failed to share this critical information with security agencies.
Speaking at a rally in Ranchi, Kharge drew a connection between Modi&rsquo;s cancellation of his visit to Srinagar on April 19 and the attack, which occurred three days later. &ldquo;I read in newspapers that three days before the attack, an intelligence report was sent to PM Modi. Therefore, he cancelled his Kashmir visit. When intelligence agencies told you it would not be appropriate to go, why did you not share this intelligence with police and security forces?&rdquo; Kharge questioned.
The attack on April 22 resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including many tourists.&nbsp;
Kharge expressed concern over the government&rsquo;s failure to ensure the safety of visitors, given the intelligence warning. &ldquo;There was a horrific terrorist attack on 22 (April)...26 innocents were killed. The government admitted there was an intelligence failure. Why did you not arrange for tourists' security?&rdquo; he asked.
Kharge&rsquo;s remarks are the latest in a series of controversial statements by Congress leaders regarding the Pahalgam killings. The Congress party, however, distanced itself from earlier remarks, issuing an edict urging its leaders to "exercise utmost discipline" and to adhere to the Congress Working Committee&rsquo;s stated position in the resolution.
Additionally, the party was compelled to delete a social media post which featured an image of a headless Prime Minister Modi with the caption &ldquo;Gayab&rdquo; (missing), insinuating the prime minister&rsquo;s absence during the crisis.
In retaliation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned Kharge&rsquo;s accusations. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan demanded that the Congress leader provide evidence for his claims or issue an unconditional apology.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He has made treacherous statements similar to a modern-day Mir Jaffar. His toxic, baseless, unfounded rant against the prime minister is most deplorable and condemnable, and Mr. Kharge's remarks are unpardonable, indefensible, and cannot be forgiven. Everybody demands an unconditional apology from him, and he should also come clean on what kind of inputs he received to make such outrageous remarks,&rdquo; Kesavan said.
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(Left) Mallikarjun Kharge and PM Narendra Modi (Right)

Kharge questions PM's silence on intel warning days before the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people

PM Skipped Kashmir Trip After Intel: Kharge

Kharge questions PM's silence on intel warning days before the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people

May 6, 2025 | 16:01 IST