In the wake of the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed innocent lives and sent shockwaves across the country including Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha demonstrated a rare but commendable quality in the public life of politicians — accountability. In openly acknowledging the security lapse that enabled the Pakistan-sponsored assault, Sinha did not seek refuge behind bureaucracy or pass the buck. Instead, he took responsibility, showing a level of political and administrative maturity that deserves appreciation and reflection. In a political landscape often riddled with blame-shifting and defensiveness, Sinha’s admission marks a striking departure from the norm. His public acceptance of fault was not a display of weakness, but rather one of strength — a reaffirmation of leadership that owns up in adversity. He acknowledged that the attack was not only a direct attempt by Pakistan to destabilize the region, but also a targeted strike at Kashmir’s growing economic confidence, particularly its booming tourism sector. By highlighting the broader objective of fomenting communal discord, Sinha pointed to the calculated nature of the violence, orchestrated to undo the gains made in recent years. Importantly, while taking responsibility, Sinha also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to neutralizing terrorism and dismantling its support structures. He emphasized a significant decline in local militant recruitment, attributing it to successful outreach programs and the alienation of terror ideologies among the youth. This trend, if sustained, represents a long-term gain in Kashmir’s security and stability. Sinha’s leadership during this crisis sent out a crucial message to both the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the broader Indian public — that governance is not about evading responsibility, but about confronting hard truths and taking corrective action. By owning up to the lapse, he has not only reassured the victims’ families and the larger community but also sent a stern signal to the security apparatus that lapses will not be brushed under the carpet. At a time when Kashmir has seen an upward trajectory in tourism, infrastructure development, and civic engagement, the attack was a grim reminder that peace remains fragile. However, the way forward is not in denial but in determined resilience — something Lieutenant Governor Sinha has shown through both words and actions. In taking the blame and still asserting a vision for a secure and economically vibrant Kashmir, Sinha has proven that true leadership lies not in claiming credit during success, but in standing tall during failure. That is what leading from the front looks like.