Pahalgam Attack: Terrorists Reconnoitered Baisaran Valley Days Before Massacre

Srinagar: Investigations into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, have revealed that the perpetrators were present in the scenic Baisaran Valley just two days prior to the incident. This startling disclosure emerged during the interrogation of an arrested Over Ground Worker (OGW) with links to the attack, according to highly placed sources.

Senior officials involved in the probe stated that the terrorists arrived in the Pahalgam area as early as April 15 and conducted reconnaissance of at least four locations, including the popular tourist destination of Baisaran Valley. The other sites under surveillance by the terrorists were identified as Aru Valley, the local amusement park, and Betaab Valley. Sources suggest that the heightened security measures in place at these locations likely deterred the terrorists from carrying out attacks there.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), leading the investigation, has identified approximately 20 OGWs believed to have provided support to the foreign militants responsible for the attack. Several of these individuals have been apprehended, while others remain under close surveillance. Intelligence sources indicate that at least four OGWs played a critical role in assisting the terrorists with reconnaissance and logistical support in the lead-up to the deadly strike.

Furthermore, the investigation has unearthed evidence pointing towards the use of three satellite phones in the region during the pre-attack phase. Signals from two of these devices have been successfully traced, providing crucial leads for the investigating agencies. The NIA and intelligence agencies have so far interrogated over 2,500 individuals in connection with the attack, with 186 persons currently in custody for further questioning, underscoring the extensive scale of the ongoing investigation.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, coordinated raids have been carried out across Jammu and Kashmir. Residences associated with members and sympathisers of banned organizations, including various factions of the Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami, were searched in multiple locations spanning Kupwara, Handwara, Anantnag, Tral, Pulwama, Sopore, Baramulla, and Bandipora.

NIA sources revealed that despite their proscribed status, these groups allegedly facilitated the development of a support network that enabled the Pakistani terrorists to meticulously plan and execute the Pahalgam massacre. Investigators are now scrutinizing the call records of individuals affiliated with these organizations and have reportedly discovered communication links between members of these groups and the OGWs involved in the attack. The investigation continues to delve deeper into these connections to unravel the full conspiracy behind the horrific incident.