Indian intelligence units had warned the government of an impending Pakistan-supported terrorist strike in Jammu and Kashmir, before the horrific Pahalgam attack on April 22 that left at least 26 dead. Sources uncovered that the alert had suggested Islamabad’s intentions for a “hot summer” in the state. As a precautionary measure, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan convened a security meeting in Jammu on March 10, followed by another important discussion on April 6 chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah in Srinagar.
Details of the Pahalgam Attack
The first investigation into the Pahalgam attack reveals that at least four terrorists, two of them foreign nationals, carried out the attack. Two home-grown militants, Aadil Thakur and Aasif Sheikh, were named as perpetrators and Suleman Shah and Abu Talha were named as foreign operatives, possibly Pashtun in origin. The attack was said to have been planned by Saifullah Kasuri, a top commander in the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Existing Terror Threat in Jammu and Kashmir
Indian officials reported that there are about 70 foreign terrorists still active in the area, with some of them infiltrating through different routes. In March, an infiltration attempt foiled along the international border led to the killing of some of the militants. Intelligence reports, though, suggest that quite a number of the terrorists have infiltrated successfully into the area and are awaiting orders. With the melting of snow, some militants will likely use the hill routes for their operations.
Authorities Announce Crackdown and Search Operations
A cordon-and-search operation has been launched in Pahalgam to stop the terrorists from escaping, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is gearing up for a potential crackdown on local compatriots who might have supported the attackers.
