The exodus never probed

Had ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus been properly investigated or individual killings thoroughly probed, role of local collaborators might have been exposed and addressed, writes Deepika Bhan

- Deepika Bhan

As information about the April 22 Pahalgam massacre emerges, it is becoming increasingly clear that a crucial local support system aided the terror attackers.

This support included choosing the site of the attack based on high vulnerability and limited accessibility for security forces; arranging lodging and boarding through local residences; establishing a support network that led unsuspecting victims to the spot; arranging, transporting, concealing, and handing over weapons to the attackers; providing cover during the attack; monitoring the movement of security forces; facilitating swift escape; offering shelter - possibly in local homes - and using vehicles while fleeing, thereby managing to evade security forces and even the intelligence radar.

In each of these aspects, the involvement of locals was certain. Pakistan-trained terrorists offered money to lure locals and used religion to justify the act.

In Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is now probing the case, has reportedly questioned around 2,500 locals.

Unconfirmed sources suggest that approximately 35 locals were directly involved in the attack, and more casualties could have occurred had more of them been armed. It is said that these terrorists had been living near the attack site for the past month.