More than a week after the deadly terror attack in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources say the perpetrators remain active and hidden in South Kashmir. Intelligence suggests the attackers are self-reliant, carrying enough food and essentials to survive for extended periods in the forested terrain without outside help.
During the attack, sources suspect additional terrorists remained at a distance, possibly to provide cover fire if security forces responded quickly. The terrorists, believed to be four in number, had meticulously planned the terror attack. Two of the terrorists entered through the main gate, one blocked the exit, and a fourth was likely concealed in nearby pine forests to offer backup.
The assault began when gunfire erupted near the exit, causing panic among the tourists. As people fled toward the entrance, they were ambushed by the two terrorists positioned there. Two of them were dressed in military fatigues while one was in a traditional Kashmiri pheran, opened fire on picnicking tourists, pony riders, and food stall visitors.
Eyewitnesses say the terrorists tried to segregate men from women and Hindus from Muslims. When the crowd resisted, they were asked to recite the Kalma. Following the religious segregation, the terrorists sprayed bullets indiscriminately. Among the first one to be killed was Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who had just entered the park.
The highest casualties occurred near the tea and bhelpuri stalls. After the shooting, the terrorists fled by scaling a wall along the park’s side.
Sources say the terrorists in Pahalgam used a secure, SIM-less communication system with short-range encrypted messaging, complicating law enforcement’s efforts to intercept or trace them. Investigators also found that the group had conducted reconnaissance of three nearby spots on April 15. A local amusement park was initially considered a target but was dropped due to high security.
