Questions are being raised about the strategic choice of Baisaran Valley—popularly known as “mini Switzerland”—for Tuesday’s brutal terror attack by Pakistan-backed militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Tough Terrain and Delayed Response Time
Baisaran, a scenic meadow located southeast of Pahalgam town, is accessible only through a serpentine trek that winds through streams, dense forests, and steep, muddy stretches. With no motorable road in place, tourists usually reach the area on foot, horseback, or occasionally by bikes on the smoother stretches. ATV services are not yet operational commercially.
“The terrain is so challenging that even a healthy youngster needs nearly an hour to reach Baisaran from Pahalgam,” a local guide said.
A Rescue Nightmare
Emergency services, due to the unmotorable and slippery route, would require at least 30 to 40 minutes to reach the site. This difficult access and lack of quick mobility made it an ideal ambush point for attackers. “A small mistake on the route can send a tourist tumbling down deep gorges,” a local added.
Lack of Security Despite Tourist Rush
Despite Baisaran’s popularity—it attracts hundreds of tourists daily—there was no security posted along the 5.5 km trek. An India Today correspondent who visited the site after the attack confirmed, “There wasn’t a single police picket on the entire route.”
Terrorists Used Forest Hideouts, Body Cameras
Sources revealed that attackers belonged to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, and had been conducting recces of the area with help from overground workers. They used forest hideouts and reportedly wore body cameras to document the assault.
Tourists Rarely Targeted—Until Now
Since the rise of terrorism in Kashmir in the 1990s, tourists have rarely been primary targets. This attack marks a disturbing shift, leveraging the scenic yet isolated terrain of Baisaran to unleash devastation with minimal interference.
