A preliminary investigation into Tuesday’s Pahalgam terror attack — which killed 26 tourists, including two foreigners, and injured 17 — has uncovered serious lapses in intelligence gathering, force deployment and operational oversight in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi:A preliminary investigation into Tuesday’s Pahalgam terror attack — which killed 26 tourists, including two foreigners, and injured 17 — has uncovered serious lapses in intelligence gathering, force deployment and operational oversight in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to security officials, the Unified Command — chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and including representatives from the J&K government, Army, Police, paramilitary forces, Intelligence Bureau and RAW — had repeatedly reported a return to normalcy in the Valley without conducting a ground-level assessment of threats. “Despite a surge in civilian footfall at the Baisaran meadow, the Unified Command and local police failed to act on actionable intelligence,” said a senior official.
Earlier this year, one of the two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) companies assigned to “area domination” in Baisaran was redeployed elsewhere, thinning out the only dedicated cover for the scenic tourist spot. The nearest Quick Action Team — CRPF’s 116 battalion — took over an hour to reach the site, giving attackers ample time to carry out the strikes and escape.
“The ad hoc nature of CRPF deployments in the Valley has weakened our security grid,” commented another official, noting that tourist routes accessible only on foot or by pony had become predictable targets. Survivors reported hearing at least two assailants speak Pashto, indicating possible infiltration from terror camps near the Afghan border, while locals may have provided reconnaissance support.
In response, a multi-agency inquiry has been launched to map the entire conspiracy chain. Investigators are tracking the attackers across the Baisaran valley and examining a new Chinese-origin communication device recovered at the scene — believed to have been used to evade digital surveillance.
Security sources warn that militants deliberately avoid modern communication equipment to leave no electronic trails. As combing operations intensify, officials stress the need for a permanent, intelligence-driven deployment model — rather than temporary postings — to thwart future attacks.
