The Bloodied Meadows of Pahalgam

The Pahalgam attack has pushed Kashmir back by years and it will take much time and sustained effort to recover lost ground.

- AJAY SINGH

THE ATTACK

It has been less than a week since the horrific terrorist attack killed 26 tourists in the meadows of Pahalgam, and the sense of anger and revulsion is still strong. It is even difficult to write without getting emotional. And therein lies the danger. The attack has impacted all Indians in collective grief and anger, and calls for retribution have been raised. That retribution will come, but it should not be a knee-jerk reaction. The response must be hard, swift, and well-calibrated and not swamped by emotions.

The attack in Baisaran—a beautiful meadow, which is often called 'Mini-Switzerland', marked a change in the terrorist modus operandi. Around four or five terrorists, dressed in camouflage fatigues, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47 assault rifles approached the popular tourist spot in the afternoon of 22 April. They had obviously done a detailed reconnaissance earlier and were helped by local sympathisers. They selected a spot that was accessible only by foot or pony, thus ensuring security response would be delayed. A group patrolled the upper reaches of the mountains to give early warning; another came up to the tourists thronging the area, separated them after ascertaining their religion, and shot them one by one, before disappearing in the thickly wooded mountains adjoining it.