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PTC Web Desk: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was alerted about a possible terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir days before the tragic incident in Pahalgam on April 22. According to Kharge, an intelligence report had been shared with the Prime Minister three days before the attack, after which he cancel his planned visit to the Union Territory.

“There was an intelligence failure. The government has acknowledged it and says they will take corrective measures. But if they had prior knowledge, why weren’t adequate arrangements made?” Kharge questioned during a press interaction. He added, “I came to know from a source—and I also read this in the newspaper—that the PM received an intel report and thus cancelled his Kashmir programme.”

The terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 persons—mostly tourists enjoying a holiday—sparked nationwide outrage. According to sources, the Central Government admitted to lapses in security during a closed-door all-party meeting held on April 24. Opposition leaders were informed that local officials had failed to notify security agencies before opening the Baisaran area near Pahalgam in Anantnag district to visitors. Traditionally, this area remains closed to tourists until the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra in June.

Further corroborating the intelligence angle, sources revealed that security agencies had earlier flagged potential threats to tourists, particularly those staying at hotels located in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range near Srinagar. Intelligence inputs reportedly suggested that terrorist groups intended to strike during PM Modi’s then-planned visit to flag off the inaugural Katra-Srinagar train service.

The Prime Minister’s visit, initially scheduled for April 19, was officially postponed due to predicted high-speed winds in the Katra region, according to government sources. However, questions have since emerged about whether security concerns also influenced the decision.