NEW DELHI : The centre on Thursday admitted to a security lapse in the Pahalgam terror attack during the all-party meeting convened by the NDA government.

The government had convened an all-party meeting in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed. During the meeting to discuss the terror attack, the government said it was taking all measures to ensure security. It noted that the attack was aimed at vitiating the atmosphere at a time when the economy was on the upswing and tourism was booming in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the parties were informed that the terror strike was a security lapse. The union minister said that there was also discussion on how such incidents could be avoided in the future.

"Everyone has agreed that India should fight against terrorism unitedly. India has taken strong action against terrorism in the past and will continue to do so. This has been discussed in the all-party meeting on behalf of the government. The (government) officials, IB and Home Ministry officials did briefing on how the attack happened and where was the security lapse. The incident occurred in a meadow which is not close to the road...The parties were informed that there was a lapse," Rijiju said.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who also attended the meeting, said everyone at the meeting unequivocally condemned the terror attack and offered full support to the government. The Congress leader also raised the issue of security lapses at the tourist spot, asking why no security personnel were deputed there, PTI quoted sources as saying.  Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also said there was a security lapse and the government did not act promptly after the attack.  "We will support the government decision in the best interest of the nation," Kharge said.  Opposition leaders, including Kharge and AAP's Sanjay Singh, pointed out the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the meeting and said that he should have been present.  TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay demanded that the prime minister convene a meeting of all party chiefs at the earliest. He also said the issue of possible security lapses was also discussed but the opposition assured that it was with the government in the fight against terrorism.

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