Why were these houses not demolished sooner?

New Delhi, April 29 (NationPress) The recent counter-terrorism initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), prompted by the Pahalgam terror incident that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, have sparked a political outcry regarding the perceived delay in the demolition of residences allegedly associated with terrorists. Congress leader Rashid Alvi expressed support for Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh, who raised the question of why these buildings were not dismantled earlier.

Alvi echoed Ghosh's concerns, questioning the rationale behind the demolitions. “If terrorists were residing there, why didn’t the government intervene before the attack? Is this merely a strategy to convey to the public that action is being taken?” he stated.

“Out of the six suspects, none have been apprehended thus far, so how can it be asserted that those demolished houses harbored terrorists?”

Reports indicate that security forces have demolished at least nine properties of individuals allegedly connected to terror networks in the Kashmir Valley.

While the action was intended as a decisive response following the assault by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), some opposition figures view it as a delayed response that should have occurred earlier.

“Why weren’t these houses demolished beforehand if the government had prior knowledge of their terrorist associations?” queried Ghosh, branding the operation as “bomb justice” in light of what she termed “bulldozer justice” in Uttar Pradesh, which has already faced criticism from the Supreme Court.

She further commented on X, “We require a definitive fight against terrorism, not a mere show.”

Alvi also endorsed the Congress call for a special parliamentary session to hold the government accountable.

“In a time of national mourning, discussions in Parliament are essential. Why were there inadequate security provisions? Why was there no Army, no police, no medical assistance for over an hour while lives were lost?” he asked.

He criticized the government’s intelligence lapses: “It appears that the terrorists possessed superior intelligence than the state. They seemed aware that no one would be present; how can that be explained?”

Addressing the rise of communal narratives, Alvi defended the Kashmiri Muslim community: “Every Muslim in Kashmir stepped forward to assist tourists. Families provided shelter, hotels waived fees, and locals offered food for free. In contrast, airlines controlled by the Indian government have tripled fares.”

Responding to Congress leader Salman Soz’s controversial suggestion to consider Pakistan’s denial of involvement, Alvi clarified: “Pakistan’s statements cannot be trusted. However, the fact that we have not yet captured those six terrorists is evidence of their involvement. Until we apprehend them and present proof to the world, we cannot convince anyone.”