better-late-than-never-omar-on-lg-s-intel-lapse-admission

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said it was "better late than never" that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha admitted there was intelligence failure in the Pahalgam terror attack, and stressed that someone must be held accountable for the loss of 26 lives.

 

Reacting to LG Sinha’s remarks in a recent interview, where he reportedly said he takes full responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. Omar told mediapersons, “After 80 days, it is better late than never. We did not say it (earlier) even knowing that such a big attack could not have taken place without (intelligence) failure.”

He further stated that now that the failure has been acknowledged, responsibility should be fixed. He added, “He (Sinha) has perhaps said there was an intelligence failure. If that is so, then who is responsible for that? It cannot happen that 26 people lose their lives and there is no progress. When we accept there was an intelligence failure, then someone has to be held responsible for that.”

Omar also criticised the police for stopping leaders from paying tributes at Naqshband Sahib Graveyard to the 22 individuals killed by the Dogra army on July 13, 1931.

 

“What happened on Monday was wrong. This should not have happened. It was unfortunate because we were not breaking any law. The restrictions were for (July) 13 and not 14. It should not have happened," he said.

 

He thanked leaders from other states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, for showing support.

 

Speaking earlier at an event at the Bone and Joint Hospital in Barzulla, Omar said people should not mistake his politeness for weakness.

 

“Some people think that we are weak because we don't indulge in threats and intimidation, but I want to tell them that we are not weak. Don't mistake our politeness for weakness. We will not trade the dreams and aspirations of the people of J-K. We are not here due to someone's favour. If anyone has done us a favour, it is the Almighty and the voters of J-K,” he said.

 

"Chief Minister inaugurated the new block of Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla, a significant step towards strengthening specialized healthcare infrastructure in J&K. The upgraded facilities will greatly enhance patient care and medical services in the region," the CM said in a post on his official X handle.