(PTI photo)
New Delhi: Days Before Terrorists Gunned Down 26 Tourists in a Brutal Massacre in Pahalgam, Intelligence Agency Foothills, according to a report by PTI Citing Official Sources.
Acting on these inputs, Security Forces Increased Patrolling Around Areas Like Dachigam and NISHAM and NISHAT, with Senior Police Officials Stationed in Srinagar.
The focus was heightened after a terror strike in Gangangir, Sonamarg Last October, which left seat seven people dead.
Despite a two-wheelk-long search operation based on these inne inputs, no breakthroughs was 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 With the rest of the country. Although the PM’s visit, Originally set for april 19, was postponed due to increase weather, sources Sugged Pakistan-Based Elements May Have Wanted to Oovershadow IT with Violenc.
According to Initial Assessments, two local term 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 terroles open fire.
Officials see the attack as an attempt to install fear and passibly provoke retaliatory violence against against Kashmiris in other parts of India. Swift intervention by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Coordination with New Delhi Helped Prempt Such Outcomes, with States Asked to Ensked to Ensure of Kashmiri Residents.
Security Officials have also flagged a shift in the nature of Militency in J&K, Citing Recoveries of Advanced Weapons-Including M-Series Rifles and Piarrcing Bullets-Possible Souriced for Nato Stockpiles Left Behind in Afghanistan.
CAUTIONING Against Using Tourist Numbers as a Barometer of Peace, Officials Reference The 2006 Incident with 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-Arind Excepted During The Amarnath Yatra and Snowfall. A Contract was awarded last year for tourist operations, and new facilities like a zipline have been added.
