Intelligence Agencies Had Warned of Tourist Threat before Pahalgam Attack
Intelligence agencies had issued warnings about potential terror strikes targeting tourists near Srinagar days before the tragic attack in Pahalgam on April 22nd claimed 26 lives, according to officials cited by news agency PTI on Saturday. While security was consequently heightened in the specific areas mentioned in the alert, the deadly attack occurred elsewhere, raising further security concerns in the region.
Pre-Attack Warnings
The intelligence input specifically flagged a potential threat to tourists staying in hotels on Srinagar's outskirts, near the Zabarwan foothills. Consequently, security operations, including intensified combing, were conducted in areas like Dachigam and Nishat. However, a two-week operation based on these alerts reportedly yielded no significant leads and concluded on April 22nd, the same day the Pahalgam attack took place.
Suspected Motives
Officials suspect the timing was linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned, though later postponed due to weather, visit to inaugurate the Katra-Srinagar railway line, a project integrating Kashmir with the national network. The attack, potentially aimed at overshadowing this event, is believed to have been carried out by a four-member group. Reports suggest two local militants facilitated the entry of victims into a food court where two Pakistani militants opened fire. Authorities believe the intent was to incite fear and provoke retaliatory actions against Kashmiris elsewhere in India, which was mitigated by swift coordination between state and central governments.
Security Concerns
Officials also noted a concerning trend in the recovery of advanced weaponry, including M-series rifles and armour-piercing bullets potentially sourced from leftover NATO stock in Afghanistan, during recent encounters. They cautioned against using increased tourism figures as a sole indicator of normalcy, citing past incidents where attacks followed such declarations. The widespread public protests across Kashmir condemning the Pahalgam attack were also highlighted, drawing comparisons to the public outcry during the Nirbhaya case. The revelation of prior intelligence warnings underscores the complex security challenges in the region. While security measures were implemented based on specific inputs, the deadly attack in Pahalgam highlights the persistent threat, concerns over advanced weaponry, and the significant public sentiment against such violence within the Kashmir Valley.
