Abhishek slams centre over Pahalgam Attack

Kolkata

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of evading responsibility for the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Calling it a “massive breach in national security,” Banerjee raised five pointed questions targeting the Centre’s handling of national security, foreign policy, and intelligence operations.

In a post on social media platform X, Banerjee asked how four heavily armed terrorists crossed Indian borders undetected. He demanded accountability and questioned the Intelligence Bureau’s effectiveness, pointing out the controversial one-year extension given to its chief shortly after the attack. “If this was a clear intelligence failure, why was the IB Chief rewarded with an extension?” he asked.

Banerjee further criticised the government’s alleged misuse of surveillance tools. “If Pegasus spyware can be used against Opposition leaders and journalists, why not against terrorists?” he questioned.

He demanded clarity on the status of the terrorists involved and why no official confirmation has been made regarding their neutralisation. Additionally, he sought answers about India’s foreign policy, especially after reports surfaced of Pakistan receiving IMF and World Bank aid following the attack.

“Why was Pakistan appointed Vice-Chair of the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee a month later?” Banerjee asked. Highlighting that over ₹2 lakh crore has been spent on foreign affairs in the last decade, he called for transparency and results instead of “silence and spin.” The TMC MP’s remarks add to the growing chorus from the Opposition demanding accountability for the Pahalgam incident.