Karnataka: Families of Pahalgam terror attack victims lament ‘security lapses’

The Narendra Modi government’s diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives of domestic tourists from across the country, has failed to enthuse the aggrieved families and the ruling BJP’s own partyworkers who are demanding a “befitting response” to avenge the killings and to root out terrorism from Kashmir once and for all.

The Centre has reiterated that the steps taken against Pakistan after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) were only “indicative and not exhaustive”. But the families that have lost their loved ones did not mince their words to register their protest against the “inadequate security” measures in the valley that turned a nightmare for vacationers.

Chennaveerappa, father of late Bengaluru techie Bharat Bhushan, 41, who was shot dead in the terror attack, said, “We welcome the diplomatic action. But there should have been better security arrangements. The Centre should step up the security in Kashmir and eliminate all the terrorists so that no one meets the same fate as my son.”

Pallavi, wife of late Manjunath Rao, 47, the slain realtor from Shivamogga, said, “The terrorists were roaming freely and we Indians were living in fear there. After they killed my husband and other men, there was no help for more than an hour as it is a tough terrain. But I feel they should have deployed security personnel in this tourist spot (Baisaran) to avert this tragedy. My only appeal to Modi is to take a daunting step that will terrorise these terrorists to an extent they would dread laying their hands on any Indian in future. They (terrorists) should break into a sweat at the mere thought of attacking India, just like how I am sweating profusely now (at the funeral procession in the sweltering heat).”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Centre should eliminate terrorism from the country. "We are with the Centre in this fight against terror. They need to eliminate the terrorists. Innocent lives have been lost. The terrorists have killed the men before their wife and children and there is nothing more cowardly than this. The same district had witnessed Pulwama attack where 40 Indian soldiers were killed. I feel there has been an intelligence failure. Our government will provide compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased," he said.

Governor Thawarchand Gehlot who visited Bhushan’s Mathikere residence in Bengaluru, said, “I reiterate that the current regime in the country has taken stern steps at the CCS meeting that will bring Pakistan on its knees and also end terror in Kashmir too. Trust me when I say the diplomatic decisions taken by India will trouble Pakistan and the future course of action will also be harsh too. I also believe, like in the past, India will strike back at Pakistan. Have faith, this (terror) attack will be avenged.”

Gehlot admitted that there could have been a “security lapse” and said the country was outraged and the Modi government would avenge this act of terror, teach a lesson to Pakistan and the terrorists and ensure such incidents do not repeat in the future. He also lauded the efforts of the Karnataka government for its efforts to bring back the bodies along with the aggrieved families home, while ensuring the safe return of the stranded Karnataka tourists from Kashmir.

A huge lineup of both state and central ministers, legislators and officials were in attendance to pay their last respects to the deceased, both in Bengaluru and Shivamogga. The mortal remains of Manjunath Rao reached Bengaluru airport on Thursday morning and the vehicle carrying the mortal remains was intercepted several times by people and BJP partyworkers all through the journey from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, to pay tributes.

At Shivamogga, the heartland of the Hindutva movement, the town observed an undeclared bandh and people turned out in large numbers to join the funeral procession. The vehicle was decorated with saffron flags, ABVP workers staged a protest and hung effigies of the terrorists from an earth mover and chanted the slogans ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ and ‘Manjunath amar rahe’ all along the way.

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said the attack was a bid to derail the Indian government’s efforts to develop Kashmir. “The people of Kashmir, rising above the barriers of religion and caste, had begun to feel safer and come to trust the Indian government and its development agenda for Kashmir. There was a decline in terror activities and a boom in tourism. So, the terror attack was a bid to derail all these efforts. The Modi government has already taken stern diplomatic measures against Pakistan. As reiterated by both the prime minister and home minister, those who claimed the lives of innocent people of our country, will be brought to justice. Besides isolating Pakistan, we will intensify our fight against terror,” said Joshi.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, who consoled the grieving family in his constituency, said, “It is Pakistan’s ploy to scuttle the development of tourism in Kashmir so that the Kashmiri youth don’t get employment opportunities and come to the streets. This would help terrorists recruit and exploit these youth for terror.”

Vijayendra also slammed the Congress leaders for blaming “security lapse and intelligence failure” in Kashmir for the tragedy.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who alleges there was a security and intelligence failure in Kashmir should pose the question to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as Congress ruled the country for more than 60 years and could not uproot terrorism. All parties should stand united and as one nation to send a strong message to the world. Terrorism is a global challenge and Modi has been advocating for eradicating this evil on all international forums. It is strange that Kharge’s tweets only mention that terrorists have attacked Indian tourists, though it is now proven that the terrorists targeted only Hindu tourists. This is the misfortune of this country. Stop politicising the incident and stand united,” he said.