Necessary to discuss Pahalgam in Parliament to fix accountability: CM

Jammu, Jul 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that the discussion on Pahalgam in the Parliament was crucial and necessary even before the debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ to fix accountability for “security and intelligence lapse” as recently admitted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. With regard to statehood and J&K Congress’ proposed intensified movement, including dharnas and hunger strikes across J&K from August, he said he was hopeful of getting something (statehood) in the current session of Parliament.

In case of no progress by the culmination of the Parliament session, an appropriate call would be taken, he said.

CM Omar was responding to media queries after attending a function of the Forest Department at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu.

When his attention was sought towards the reports claiming that one of three terrorists killed in the Dachigam encounter was involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and the mention of it besides ‘Operation Mahadev’ in the Parliament during ongoing debate, the CM said, “So far, it is not fully confirmed. It is a good thing once it is confirmed. Since April 22, 2025 – the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, our security forces, be it the Army, CAPFs or Police force, have been after them (terrorists). If one of the perpetrators has been confirmed killed today, it is a good development.”

He said that unrelenting terror operations would continue till the elimination of terrorism and the wiping out of terrorists.

“This (operation) has been going on since the day of the Pahalgam attack. It will continue till peace is fully established in J&K. If it has been reiterated in the Parliament, there’s nothing new in it,” CM Omar said.

He said it was good that the debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ was underway in the Parliament.

“Discussion on Operation Sindoor is okay. But before that, what is more significant and necessary is to debate on Pahalgam. Particularly in the light of Lieutenant Governor Sahib’s assertion that there was some negligence behind this incident, there was a role of security and intelligence failure; these aspects should be thoroughly debated in the Parliament to know who has been held responsible for the security and intelligence failure. Later ‘Operation Sindoor’ can be discussed,” the CM said.

He refused to comment on the remarks made by a few opposition members in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Parliament debate.

“I won’t comment on what is being stated inside the Parliament. Let the government come up with its response, then we will comment,” CM Omar said.

He refused to acknowledge reports that a special session on statehood was on the anvil.

Regarding Congress’ proposed hunger strike for statehood from August and any possibility of the National Conference’s support for it, the CM said, “Let this Parliament session be over. We are hoping that we will get something during this (current) Parliament session. If we don’t get it then we will consider what to do and talk.”

“As long as the Parliament session lasts, at least I won’t resort to any strike. If we don’t see any progress on statehood till August 21 (till the culmination of the Parliament session) inside or outside the Parliament. So right now, I’ll not talk about August 9,” he said.