Following intelligence warnings of possible terror attacks, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has shut down 48 out of 87 tourist destinations across the Valley. The alert comes in the wake of the dastardly 22nd April Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, predominantly Hindus were brutally killed after segregating them on religious basis.
According to intelligence sources, communication intercepts suggest the activation of sleeper cells in the valley, with orders to carry out retaliatory attacks in response to the demolition of terrorist hideouts after the Pahalgam massacre. Agencies have warned that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning targeted attacks on non-local individuals, CID officials, and Kashmiri Pandits, particularly in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts.
The threat is extended to critical infrastructure, and railway assets and personnel are deemed high-risk. Security personnel have been instructed to limit railway staff movement outside of restricted areas because of the threat. Anti-fidayeen teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group have been deployed to guard key points such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Dal Lake, which are kept open for tourists under close security.
Intelligence inputs accessed by India Today reveal that terror outfits are planning joint attacks on security personnel and civilians, particularly non-locals. The threats come during a gradual return of tourists to the region, which had witnessed a bulk exodus after the Pahalgam attack.
The Pakistan-based terrorists had attacked tourists at Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, on April 22. Narrating their ordeal, the survivors shared that they were asked about their religion before the Islamist terrorists opened fire. The attack triggered country-wide outrage and prompted a high-level security review.
Reacting to this, the Indian security establishment has augmented counter-terror operations throughout the Union Territory. A number of houses of operational terrorists have been razed and hundreds of suspects and sympathisers arrested during raids.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which was entrusted with investigating the Pahalgam massacre, has initiated an on-ground investigation. Officials recreated the scene and are to interrogate local workers, including zipline operators and witnesses such as Gujarati tourist Rishi Bhatt, whose video footage happened to record the moments of the terror attack.
With the situation on high alert, authorities continue to assess threats and enhance security to prevent further attacks across Kashmir.
