PAHALGAM ATTACK CALLS FOR HARDENED AND CALIBRATED RESPONSE

UNSUSPECTING AND HAPPILY ENJOYING TOURISTS WERE taken by surprise by unrepenting and hardened terrorists on a cool afternoon of April 22, 2025 in Baisaran meadows close to Pahalgam.

- By AIR MARSHAL R.G.K. KAPOOR (RETD)

In ensuing massacre, at least 26 Hindu men were brutally gunned down in front of their wailing families by a group of terrorists. Singling out Hindu men from amongst hundreds present there, lends further dastardliness to this violent act which will go down in Indian history as one of the worst acts of terrorism. The attack timing and location suggest meticulous planning and methodical execution since closest security forces were at least 30 mins away. The connivance and tacit support of Pakistan Army, ISI and local sympathisers was imprinted all over this heinous crime.

The year-on-year growth of tourism in the valley had given way to some sort of complacency. Terrorists attacking tourists in the valley was the last contingency on the minds of local population and security forces. The timing was also carefully chosen by the planners and attackers. Baisaran meadows were not guarded by security forces, they had no road connectivity for rapid police response, the Prime Minister was on a visit to Saudi Arabia and Vice President of USA was in the country. The tourist activity was picking up with upcoming school holidays suggesting return of normalcy in the valley. Lastly, the new State government was working closely with the Central government. On April 19, 2025, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister said “I want to convey to the people of J&K that the progress lies in the fact that the J&K government and the Central government work together for the better future of Jammu and Kashmir.” All these developments created unease amongst the perpetrators of terrorism across the border, which reflected in the volatile speech of General Asim Munir, Pakistan Army Chief, few days before the attack.

REACTIONS TO THE ATTACK