NEW DELHI: Days before terrorists gunned down 26 tourists in a brutal massacre in Pahalgam, intelligence agencies had already sounded the alarm, warning of a possible attack on visitors, especially, staying near Srinagar’s scenic foothills. Despite a surge in security, top-level police presence, and weeks of combing operations, the threat slipped through the cracks, resulting in one of the deadliest civilian attacks in Kashmir in years.
Acting on these inputs, security forces increased patrolling around areas like Dachigam and Nishat, with senior police officials stationed in Srinagar. The focus was heightened after a terror strike in Gangangir, Sonamarg last October, which left seven people dead.
Despite a two-week-long search operation based on these inputs, no breakthroughs were made, and the mission was called off on the very day of the Pahalgam attack.
Officials believe the terrorists may have aimed to disrupt the planned visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off the first train from Katra to Srinagar — an event seen as symbolic of Kashmir’s integration with the rest of the country. Although the PM’s visit, originally set for April 19, was postponed due to inclement weather, sources suggest Pakistan-based elements may have wanted to overshadow it with violence.
According to initial assessments, two local terrorists had blended in with the tourists in Valley’s Pahalgam. When the shooting began, they herded the group to a food court, where two Pakistani terrorists opened fire. Officials see the attack as an attempt to instill fear and possibly provoke retaliatory violence against Kashmiris in other parts of India. Swift intervention by chief minister Omar Abdullah and coordination with New Delhi helped preempt such outcomes, with states asked to ensure the safety of Kashmiri residents.
Security officials have also flagged a shift in the nature of militancy in J&K, citing recoveries of advanced weapons – including M-series rifles and armour-piercing bullets — possibly sourced from Nato stockpiles left behind in Afghanistan.
Cautioning against using tourist numbers as a barometer of peace, officials referenced the 2006 incident where four tourists were killed in Srinagar soon after a former CM had claimed peace based on rising tourist footfall. “Tourism should be viewed as an economic activity, not a measure of normalcy in a conflict zone,” one official said.
On concerns about Baisaran being closed to tourists, officials clarified it remains open year-round except during the Amarnath Yatra and snowfall. A contract was awarded last year for tourist operations, and new facilities like a zipline have been added.