Revelations by Satya Pal Malik
The Congress party has demanded a white paper on the Pulwama terror attack after former Jammu & Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik made stunning revelations in an interview with The Wire. Congress leaders questioned the lapses that resulted in the death of 40 CRPF jawans in the Pulwama attack in February 2019. The Union government and the BJP have maintained silence on the revelations, and former army chief General Shankar Roy Chowdhory has held the government responsible for the loss of lives in Pulwama.
Intelligence Failures and Denial of Aircraft to Troops
Congress leaders Shaktisinh Gohil, Colonel (retd) Rohit Chaudhry, and Wing Commander (retd) Anuma Acharya jointly demanded a white paper on the Pulwama attacks at a press conference in New Delhi. They questioned how militants were able to procure 300 kg of explosives without detection, despite heavy security presence in south Kashmir. They also questioned why troops were denied aircraft despite the availability of the tri-service courier of the Air Force.
The Role of Government Agencies and Security Lapses
Congress leaders demanded answers about the role of CRPF, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, National Security Adviser, and the Prime Minister’s Office in the Pulwama attacks. They called for a comprehensive report that describes how the attacks took place, what were the ‘intelligence failures’, and what security lapses occurred. They emphasized the need to establish the truth, fix responsibility, and strengthen India’s national security, citing previous inquiries held and findings made public in other terror attacks.
Former Army Chief Supports Demand for White Paper
Former army chief General Shankar Roy Chowdhury has supported the Congress party’s demand for a white paper on the Pulwama attacks. He has held the government headed by the PM responsible, as the Prime Minister is advised by the national security adviser. Despite the revelations made by Satya Pal Malik, a BJP leader who was appointed governor by the Modi government, the Union government and the BJP have maintained silence, failing to respond to the serious questions raised by Congress leaders.
Importance of Transparency and Accountability in National Security
Congress leaders stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in national security matters. They cited previous inquiries held and findings made public in other terror attacks, such as the 2011 Mumbai bomb explosions and the Pathankot attack in 2016. They called for a comprehensive report that answers key questions about the Pulwama attacks, including the delay in completing the inquiry and sharing its findings with the nation.
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Conclusion
The demand for a white paper on the Pulwama attacks by the Congress party has gained momentum after the revelations made by former Jammu & Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik. Congress leaders have raised serious questions about the intelligence failures, denial of aircraft to troops, and security lapses that led to the death of 40 CRPF jawans. They have demanded transparency and accountability in matters of national security, calling for a comprehensive report that provides answers and establishes the truth. Despite the silence of the Union government and the BJP, the demand for a white paper on Satya Pal Malik Pulwama revelations remains strong, highlighting the need to fix responsibility and strengthen India’s national security.
Gangtokian Web Team, 19/04/23