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Failed to anticipate attack: MHA, IB at all-party meet

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NEW DELHI: Govt officials told an all-party meeting Thursday that they did not expect terrorists to strike Pahalgam since there was no precedent, and added that the failure to anticipate the deviation from the pattern on Tuesday was a “lapse”.

“IB (Intelligence Bureau) and home ministry officials briefed floor leaders about the incident...” parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters after the meeting. “The opposition has given full support to govt to take any action,” leader of opposition in LS Rahul Gandhi said.

All parties said they’re with govt in this fight: Rijiju

Terrorists had never attacked tourists visiting Pahalgam and Anantnag, as it has a direct bearing on livelihoods. The attack was unexpected. We were not anticipating it,” sources quoted the officials as telling representatives of political parties. Representatives of opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi, raised the issue of alleged security lapse at the meeting.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh , home minister Amit Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and external affairs minister SJaishankar were also present.

Rijiju said all parties agreed that India should fight against terrorism unitedly, and backed measures the govt has taken against Pakistan, including those it might resort to in the future.

“India has taken strong action against terrorism in the past and will continue to do so. This has been discussed in all-party meeting on behalf of govt. All parties said that they are with govt in this fight against terrorism. The meeting ended on a positive note,” he said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised the absence of PM Narendra Modi, who had gone to Bihar, and said ideally, he should have chaired the meeting.

The defence minister briefed participants about the attack and the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security. “This incident is very sad, due to which everyone in the country is worried. Keeping this in mind, the Indian govt has also expressed its intention to take more stringent action today,” Rijiju quoted Singh as telling the meeting. Singh also outlined govt’s “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism.
Shah and Jaishankar called on President Droupadi Murmu and they are said to have briefed her about the emerging situation.
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