Home secy holds closed door meeting on security
New Delhi:Investigators have named five militants believed to have carried out Tuesday’s strike — three Pakistanis, Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha, and two local operatives, Adil Guri and Ahsan. Sketches of the Pakistani nationals have been released. None of the suspects has yet been traced; agencies fear they may try to slip across the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, two days after terrorists killed 26 tourists and wounded 17 others in Pahalgam, Union home secretary Govind Mohan convened an hour-long closed-door meeting on Thursday with Intelligence Bureau (IB) director Tapan Deka and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Chief Ravi Sinha to review security in Jammu & Kashmir and across the country.
Although details were not disclosed, officials said the discussion focused on tightening internal-security measures in the Valley. Home minister Amit Shah is expected to chair a broader security review on Friday.
Later in the day, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that home ministry and IB officers had briefed an all-party meeting on how the Pahalgam assault occurred. “Despite a generally normal situation, a lapse took place. Members were informed of steps being taken to prevent a recurrence,” Rijiju said.
Given the cross-border dimension, the National Investigation Agency is expected to assume charge of the probe, though a formal order is pending.
Preliminary findings suggest the terror cell had advance knowledge that members of security agencies — including IB and Navy personnel — were among tourists staying at Baisaran meadow. Investigators are examining whether hotel-booking details of the officials were leaked.
A statement posted online by the Kashmir Resistance Front, thought to be a Jaish-e-Mohammad front, claimed responsibility, saying the operation targeted people “analysing the ground situation,” not ordinary tourists. The poster warned Delhi against “hyping up tourism” or showcasing development as a sign of normalcy, calling the attack a “wake-up call.”
Security forces have intensified searches in south Kashmir while central agencies audit protocols for protecting mixed civilian–official tour groups.
