Questions to be Asked to the Government Regarding the Pahalgam Terror Attack

Intelligence and Preparedness

1. What specific intelligence was available about a potential attack in Pahalgam, particularly given Ayyesha Siddiqa’s February 2025 warning about the Pakistan Army’s intent to restart militancy, and why was it not acted upon? (Deccan Council flagged this—why was it ignored?)

2. Why were security measures at tourist destinations like Pahalgam inadequate despite the successful 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which should have prioritized such hubs? (Pahalgam’s tourism significance demands robust protection.)

3. What gaps exist in coordination between central and local intelligence agencies, and what reforms are planned to address these to prevent future lapses? (The attack’s scale suggests systemic failures.)

4. Why were public warnings, such as the Deccan Council’s note on Pakistani Army intrusions in Poonch since early April 2025 to divert the Indian Army, not anticipated or countered? (Why were these tactics overlooked?)

5. How have lessons from past attacks like Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019) been implemented, and why do they remain insufficient, as highlighted by Owaisi’s claim that this attack is “more dangerous”? (The Hindu reports Owaisi’s critique—what failed systemically?)

 

Security and Immediate Response

6. What immediate actions are being taken to secure tourist-heavy areas in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among visitors? (NDTV notes tourists’ trauma—soft targets need protection.)

7. What is the progress of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe, and when will a detailed report on the attack’s perpetrators and planning be released? (India Today reported NIA involvement—what are the findings?)

8. How will the government ensure the safety of locals and tourists in Pahalgam amidst fears of further attacks disrupting normalcy? (Post-election stability was shattered—how will it be restored?)

9. Why has there been limited investment in advanced technologies like AI-based surveillance, drones, and satellite monitoring to prevent infiltrations along the Line of Control, despite repeated incidents? (Deccan Council notes ongoing intrusions—why rely on traditional methods?)

10. Post-Article 370 abrogation in 2019, what steps have been taken to dismantle terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir, and why do groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) still execute large-scale attacks? (Security was expected to improve—where did the strategy fail?)

 

 

 

Diplomatic Measures and Pakistan’s Role

11. What evidence confirms Pakistan’s role as the “real mastermind” behind the attack, and why hasn’t it been presented to the international community to build a case? (India Today and Deccan Council point to Pakistan’s military—why the delay?)

12. Beyond suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah-Attari border, and expelling diplomats, what additional diplomatic measures are planned to pressure Pakistan? (New Indian Express reported these steps—what’s next?)

13. How will India leverage international bodies like the UN or FATF to hold Pakistan accountable for sponsoring terrorism, given its history under FATF scrutiny? (Deccan Council notes this—how will it be prioritized?)

14. Why hasn’t India pushed for UN sanctions against Gen. Asim Munir and other Pakistani military leaders, given his provocative Kashmir statements on April 16, 2025? (Deccan Council quotes Munir—why no preemptive action?)

15. How will India manage escalation risks from retaliatory measures like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, especially after Pakistan’s National Security Committee meeting on April 24, 2025? (BBC News notes Pakistan’s response—what contingencies exist?)

 

Counter-Terrorism Strategy

16. What is the long-term plan to dismantle LeT and its offshoots like The Resistance Front, which executed the attack, and why have they remained operational despite global terrorist designations since 2001? (What allows their persistence?)

17. How will India counter Pakistan’s attempts to link the Kashmir issue with the Palestinian cause to garner broader support for terrorism? (Deccan Council notes this tactic—how will it be neutralized?)

18. What measures are in place to address the reactivation of terrorist groups in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, such as the shift of Kashmir Day events to Rawalakot? (Deccan Council flagged this—how will it be countered?)

19. How will the government disrupt LeT’s financial and logistical networks, given its decades-long operational history? (What specific actions target their funding?)

20. How will India address regional instability from Afghanistan’s militancy, which indirectly strengthens groups like LeT, as noted in the Atlantic Council article? (What regional strategy is in place?)

 

 Public Communication and Outreach

21. How will the government implement the Deccan Council’s suggestion to reach out to the Pakistani public to expose their army’s role in terrorism, and what platforms will be used? (The article calls for “aggressive messaging”—what’s the plan?)

22. What steps are being taken to reassure tourists and locals in Jammu and Kashmir that such attacks won’t recur, and how will confidence in the region’s safety be restored? (Tourism took a hit—how will it recover?)

23. Why hasn’t India more aggressively highlighted Pakistan’s domestic failures—like the Baloch uprising and TTP attacks—to weaken the credibility of its military internationally? (Deccan Council notes Munir’s vulnerabilities—why not exploit them?)

 

Regional and International Cooperation

24. How will India engage neighboring countries to ensure they do not support Pakistan’s military, and what consequences will be outlined for such support? (Deccan Council suggests labeling it an “unfriendly act”—what’s the approach?)

25. What role will India seek from global powers like the US and UK in isolating Pakistan’s military, and how will the UK’s soft stance be addressed? (Deccan Council criticizes the UK—how will India respond?)

26. Why hasn’t India pushed harder for the US to pass the ‘Pakistan Democracy Bill’ introduced on March 24, 2025, targeting Pakistani military officials? (Deccan Council notes this—why the lack of urgency?)

27. How will India prevent global powers from accepting Gen. Munir’s mineral concessions to the US, which could weaken international pressure on Pakistan? (Deccan Council mentions this—how will it be countered?)

 

 Domestic Political Consensus and Policy

28. What were the outcomes of the all-party meeting on April 24, 2025, and what consensus was reached on counter-terrorism measures? (NDTV mentions the meeting with Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh—what was decided?)

29. How will the government address radicalization among youth in Jammu and Kashmir, which enables terrorist recruitment? (The attack suggests local support—where did deradicalization efforts fail?)

30. What steps are being taken to rebuild trust among locals in Jammu and Kashmir toward security forces to improve intelligence gathering? (Alienation aids terrorists—how will this be addressed?)

 

 Military Strategy and Escalation Risks

31. What specific military actions are planned to target terrorist infrastructure, as suggested by the Deccan Council, and what is the threshold to avoid a full-scale war? (Rajnath Singh vowed a “strong response” per BBC News—where’s the line?)

32. How will India balance a strong military response with targeted messaging to avoid alienating the Pakistani public, as recommended by the Deccan Council? (Military action could fuel anti-India sentiment—how will this be mitigated?)

33. Why hasn’t the government prioritized advanced technologies like AI-based surveillance and drones for LoC security, given repeated infiltrations? (Deccan Council notes this gap—why persist with outdated methods?)

 

 

Economic and Humanitarian Impact

34. What is the plan to mitigate the economic impact on Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, a key employer, after the attack deterred visitors? (The timing threatens economic gains—how will it be addressed?)

35. Why were compensation packages for victims’ families delayed, and what support beyond financial aid is planned? (Siddaramaiah promised compensation per The Hindu—what’s the status?)

36. What measures address the humanitarian crisis in Pahalgam, including displacement and psychological trauma for survivors? (NDTV reports tourists’ trauma—what programs are in place?)

 

Long-Term Vision for Kashmir and Subcontinental Stability

37. What is the comprehensive roadmap for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, building on recent political milestones like the 2024 elections? (How will stability be sustained?)

38. Why hasn’t India pursued a proactive role in fostering democracy in Pakistan to weaken its military’s grip, a root cause of terrorism? (Deccan Council suggests this—why isn’t it prioritized?)

39. What structural changes are planned to prevent future attacks, given the region’s evolving political landscape? (Does this require a new security framework?)

 

 Transparency and Public Trust

40. Will the government release a white paper on the Pahalgam attack to detail failures and corrective measures, and if not, why?