New Delhi, Nov 13 (NationPress) Congress leader Pawan Khera, who chairs the Media and Publicity Department at the All India Congress Committee, sharply criticized the Union Government on Thursday for what he termed repeated ‘Intelligence failures’ following the terror attack near Delhi’s Red Fort that resulted in the deaths of 12 innocent individuals and left numerous others injured. He questioned what lessons were learned from the Pahalgam terror incident and why this attack was not averted.

"The explosion, which occurred near the historic monument representing India’s independence, has evoked profound sorrow and raised fresh concerns regarding national security," stated the senior leader.

The Indian National Congress conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, asserting that the nation stands united against terrorism in all forms.

However, Khera accused the government of creating confusion by taking days to officially confirm that the explosion was indeed a terror attack.

"It took the Union Cabinet 48 hours to confirm what the nation already knew," he remarked, questioning the reasons behind such delays and how an attack in the heart of the national capital could occur unchecked.

The discovery of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives associated with the incident has heightened worries about surveillance shortcomings, he noted.

Khera demanded clarity on how such a substantial amount of explosives entered the national capital undetected and who would be held accountable.

He pointed out an alleged trend of security lapses under the current administration, referencing a series of significant attacks since 2015, including Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Pampore, Uri, Nagrota, the Amarnath Yatra attack, Pulwama, Rajouri, Reasi, the Pahalgam strike just seven months ago, and now the Red Fort explosion.

Each, he stressed, has been categorized as an Intelligence failure. “What lessons were learned from Pahalgam, and why was this attack not prevented?” he asked.

Khera directly challenged Home Minister Amit Shah, inquiring whether he would accept responsibility given the lengthy list of incidents during his tenure and why such breaches continue despite numerous warnings.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a “new normal” in counter-terrorism following the Pahalgam attack, Khera questioned whether the government would now fulfill that commitment.

He sought to know if the administration would pursue swift justice for those accountable, if Prime Minister Modi would personally convene an all-party meeting to forge a unified national response, and if the upcoming Parliament session would be expedited to address the blast and increasing internal security threats.

"Unity in action is vital at this moment," Khera emphasized, advocating for enhanced collaboration between the Centre and state governments, more robust engagement with all political parties, and urgent initiatives to safeguard citizens and tourists, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

As investigations unfold and public outrage escalates, the Congress party has indicated it will persist in demanding answers and accountability from the NDA government.