Pahalgam Terror Attack & Today’s All‑Party Meeting
A brutal terrorist strike in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, earlier this week jolted India. Militants ambushed a convoy guarding Amarnath pilgrims near the hill town, killing several Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and injuring civilians. The incident has reignited questions about security along the sensitive National Highway 44 corridor and the upcoming yatra season scheduled to begin in late June.
Rajnath Singh’s Response
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the assault and vowed swift retribution. “India cannot be cowed by acts of terror,” he declared, promising that the “masterminds behind Pahalgam will be hunted down and brought to justice.” Singh underscored that targeting devotees of a particular faith demonstrated “cowardly fanaticism” and assured the nation that no perpetrator would be spared.
Why an All‑Party Meeting?
In crises that touch national security, India traditionally seeks bipartisan consensus. Singh has therefore convened an all‑party consultative meeting in Delhi today (24 April 2025). Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and regional parties from Jammu & Kashmir have been invited. The goal is three‑fold:
- Share intelligence without politicising it – Senior officers from the Defence, Home, and External Affairs Ministries will give classified briefings on the attack timeline, recovered weapons, and preliminary forensic links to Pakistan‑based Lashkar‑e‑Taiba cells.
- Forge a united political message – Parliament’s forthcoming budget session could be derailed by partisan sparring unless parties agree on a common resolution condemning terrorism and supporting security forces.
- Chart coordinated action – Options on the table include expanding the Unified Command structure in J&K, deploying advanced counter‑drone systems along the Pir Panjal range, fast‑tracking facial‑recognition cameras on the yatra route, and pressing for stronger UN sanctions against the named terror financiers.
Likely Discussion Points
- Operational Coordination – The meeting may endorse setting up a dedicated “Pahalgam Task Force” that merges RAW human‑intelligence leads with Army and CRPF ground assets for time‑bound operations in South Kashmir.
- Pilgrim Security – With nearly half a million pilgrims expected this summer, parties are likely to support staggered convoy timings, armoured escort buses, and stricter vehicular RFID tagging.
- Diplomatic Leverage – Opposition leaders traditionally sceptical of cross‑border strikes are expected to back tougher diplomatic démarches to Islamabad if evidence links the attack to Pakistan‑based handlers. A push for a fresh UN Security Council statement isolating state sponsors of terror is in draft.
- Victim Support – Compensation packages, rehabilitation of injured pilgrims, and state honours for the fallen CRPF personnel will be finalised.
Broader Political Significance
While security dominates, the optics matter too. For the BJP‑led government, projecting resolve bolsters its national‑security plank ahead of key state elections. For the opposition, constructive engagement allows it to appear responsible while still holding the government accountable for intelligence lapses. A unanimous resolution would mirror the post‑Pulwama consensus of 2019, signalling to militants that internal political divisions cannot be exploited.
What Comes Next?
After today’s meeting, Rajnath Singh is expected to brief Parliament tomorrow, tabling a white paper on immediate and long‑term counter‑terror steps. Within 48 hours, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will likely release sketches of two suspects who provided logistical support. Simultaneously, financial‑intelligence units are freezing suspicious transactions in Srinagar and Anantnag districts.
The success of India’s response hinges on speed and unity: neutralising the attackers, preventing any copy‑cat strikes during the Amarnath Yatra, and leveraging global forums to penalise sponsors of terror. Today’s all‑party huddle is the first test of that collective resolve.
