New Delhi, May 3: Days before the deadly attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead, intelligence agencies had flagged the possibility of terrorist strikes targeting tourists, particularly those staying on the outskirts of Srinagar, sources confirmed Saturday.
The warning led to heightened security efforts, with police officials camping in Srinagar to oversee operations in sensitive areas like Dachigam and Nishat, known for their proximity to the Zabarwan range.
The increased security presence followed the previous year’s terrorist attack in Gangangir, Sonamarg, which claimed the lives of seven individuals, including a doctor.
This area, situated across the Zabarwan range from Srinagar, had become a focal point for increased vigilance due to the earlier tragedy.
Despite a two-week operation that involved extensive combing of the outskirts of Srinagar, no significant breakthroughs were made. The operation, launched after receiving intelligence reports, was called off on April 22—the day terrorists struck in Pahalgam, gunning down 26 tourists.
“There were inputs suggesting that terrorists aimed to disrupt Prime Minister Modi’s visit, which was initially planned for April 19 to launch the Katra-Srinagar railway service,” an official source disclosed. This railway link, they added, had drawn significant attention and likely angered Pakistan.
“They never want such powerful visuals of a peaceful and historic event to overshadow the message of violence.”
The Prime Minister’s visit was postponed due to adverse weather, which led to high-speed winds in Katra.
“The only reason for the delay was the weather forecast, and a new inauguration date will be announced soon,” clarified the official.
Local and cross-border actors, the sources suggested, may have aimed to overshadow the anticipated event with a terrorist attack to attract global attention. “They hoped to distract from the railway launch by creating chaos,” the officials added.
In the aftermath of the attack in Pahalgam, it was revealed that two local terrorists had blended in with the tourists. As the first shots rang out, they herded the victims into a food court, where two more attackers, reportedly from Pakistan, opened fire, killing 26 people.
Officials stated that the purpose of the attack seemed to be creating fear among citizens, possibly inciting retribution against Kashmiris elsewhere in India.
However, swift action by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mitigated further escalation.
“Omar Abdullah’s communication with New Delhi led to immediate directions for state governments to ensure the safety of Kashmiri locals in their jurisdictions,” officials noted.
Amid the growing tension, reports about the Baisaran area being closed to tourists were dismissed. Authorities clarified that Baisaran remains open year-round, except during the Amarnath Yatra or periods of heavy snowfall. Furthermore, a tender for the area had been awarded last August to an individual from South Kashmir, with a Rs 3 crore contract for three years. The meadow has since been secured with fencing, and a zipline facility has been added.
Officials also raised alarms about the increasing sophistication of weaponry being recovered in terrorist encounters, citing the discovery of M-series rifles, sniper rifles, and armor-piercing bullets—possibly remnants of NATO supplies from Afghanistan.
“There is a growing trend in the type of weapons used by terrorists,” an official said.
“These advanced weapons raise serious concerns about the evolving nature of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Authorities also warned against viewing tourist arrivals in Kashmir as an indicator of normalcy, pointing to past incidents such as the 2006 attack on a tourist bus.
“Tourism in conflict zones should be viewed primarily as an economic activity,” they stressed.
Lastly, officials confirmed that the practice of demolishing houses during counter-terrorism operations had been halted.
This decision came in response to requests from the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pahalgam killings sparked widespread protests across the Kashmir valley, reminiscent of public movements following the 2012 Nirbhaya case in New Delhi.
“The protests reflect the deepening anger and frustration among the public,” an official remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
