Terrorists kill Amarnath pilgrims: 3 serious questions govt needs to answer

The dastardly terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir will have a serious repercussion for the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. For the killing of innocent pilgrims who belonged to other states will make the state's problem spill over into the national scene.

What security did the govt give on the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani?

The first question will be about the security arrangement. Amarnath pilgrimage is always susceptible to attacks and the state apparatus prioritises the safety of the pilgrims. In the latest case of terror attack which happened on Monday(July 10) night, the security arrangement has got completely exposed. It is being said that the ill-fated pilgrims were not covered by the security arrangement but that holds no significance.

On the first anniversary of the death of Burhan Wani, the security should have been foolproof but it wasn't. The terrorists picked the time and place of their choice while the government failed to defend its citizens. How the bus of the pilgrims was plying in the night if the norm doesn't allow it?

BJP is in power both at Centre and state; yet such disappointing outcome?

The second question will be over the coordination between the Centre and the state governments. Although the Modi government has talked tough against terrorism emanating from Pakistan, the attacks on the Amarnath pilgrims have shown that in effect, the Centre and the J&K government have not taken enough measures to secure the common people. It is shocking that the BJP, despite being in government at both Centre and state, could not ensure protection for those seven lives.

Questions over Modi govt's Kashmir policy

And thirdly, this incident will raise a serious question over the Modi government's eye-for-an-eye strategy adopted in the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir. The rulers have been speaking about Kashmir and Kashmiriyat but how much it is trying to establish peace on the ground in the genuine sense? Amarnath Yatra is a big opportunity to improve social and communal harmony but Monday's killings have proved that the terrorists had their way once again, irrespective of the army's round-the-clock engagement to keep the borders safe.