Top Indian spy Lucky Bisht dismisses allegation of intelligence failure in Pahalgam attack

A top Indian former spy, sniper, and National Security Guard (NSG) commando has dismissed suggestions that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 innocent civilians were killed, was a result of an intelligence failure.

Lucky Bisht, who keeps a close eye on developments in neighbouring countries, was also of the firm view that the interim Muhammad Yunus government in Bangladesh would not be able to hold elections in February as promised by him.

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In an exclusive interview with The Statesman, he talked at length on a wide range of issues.

Q: Was the Pahalgam attack a result of an intelligence failure?
A: I will not say that it was not an intelligence failure. But I will say one more thing – Intelligence agencies provide information 365 days a year. With 364 pieces of information, we save our country, and sometimes we fail on one piece of input. And the world only talks about that one failed information. Everyone talks about that one failed input, while we don’t reveal the other 364 things we worked on, all of which were successful. If you don’t know about our operations, that does not mean we are not working.

Q: You have provided security to high-profile people. With whom did you face the biggest challenge?
A: Well, many politicians do not want to upset the public. For example, if someone from the public wants to meet a politician, he says, “Let them come”. If the bodyguard denies, the person he is providing security to gets angry. For security personnel, it becomes a significant challenge to ensure that they do not upset the person they are providing security to while also keeping them safe.

However, I was transferred for doing my duty and sent to Assam. Sometimes, this becomes a challenge for the security personnel because many politicians take it as a matter of ego.

Q: Are there any special moments you can recollect when you were the bodyguard of Narendra Modi?
A: When Prime Minister Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, he had a lot of public dealings. For example, during Rakhi, a huge number of women used to come and meet him. So in situations like these, keeping him safe used to be a very challenging task.

Another incident I recall is that during one of the days in his security duty, we had to go to Ahmedabad and return within an hour. However, suddenly, there was a change of plan! I was with him continuously for 17 days, during which I traveled across India with just one set of clothes.
One thing I want to mention is that when I was in his security, I never saw him taking leave, even for a single day.

Q: You predicted the fall of Nepal’s government, and exactly that happened! What is your next prediction?
A: These are not predictions but are based on the ground inputs. In Bangladesh, the Yunus government has promised that it will hold elections in February next year. However, based on my experience, I can say that the election will not happen. The government will not be able to hold that poll. It will be postponed.

Q: Have you ever thought of joining politics?
A: I have never thought of joining politics, not even in the future. I personally believe that it is not necessary that only by entering politics can you do good for society.

Q: You were reportedly jailed for some time. Can you talk about what happened?
A: At that time, I was the bodyguard of Mr LK Advani. I went home on emergency leave. During the same time, two gangsters were shot dead. They were both killed by a single bullet. So it was concluded that I was involved in the crime. I was arrested at my home and sent to jail. During the four-year jail term, I was transferred to 11 jails, and my bail plea was rejected 6-7 times. However, due to a lack of evidence against me, I was acquitted by the court. That was the hardest time of my life.

Q: Your book is described as “fiction inspired by true events.” How much of it is really fiction?
A: Only that part is fiction where the names are changed. The rest of everything is non-fiction.