NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah , who rushed to J&K on PM Modi’s directions within hours of terrorists massacring unsuspecting tourists in Pahalgam , vowed Tuesday to come down heavily on the perpetrators “with the harshest consequences”.
Immediately after his arrival, Shah held a security review meet amid indications that the terrorists may have exploited the gap between Army patrols to attack the tourists in a meadow, with no way to escape, making them easy targets — almost “sitting ducks”.
Officers were looking into if the terrorists timed the attack to coincide with shooting practice by Army personnel in a nearby range so that shots fired by them did not engage immediate attention of security forces deployed in the area
“Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared (sic),” Shah said on X.
The focus of the review meeting was also on identifying “locals” who aided the attack, with sources drawing attention to a pattern of steady attacks on the “presence of non-locals”. Shah was briefed by J&K CM Omar Abdullah, in the presence of LG Manoj Sinha and senior officials.
Sources said Victor Force, a specialised Army unit, has been brought in to comb the forests around the attack site, a sprawling meadow where 100-150 tourists from all over the country were relaxing, revelling in the stunning scenery. CRPF and J&K Police are also part of the counter-action plan.
Sources said three terrorists, suspected to be foreigners and possibly affiliated to LeT, which has traditionally had a presence in Anantnag, sneaked in, causing havoc by engaging in targeted firing at non-Muslim, non-local tourists. “Though the name of Kashmir Resistance Front has cropped up, these are just the fronts of LeT or Jaish,” said an officer.
The officer said the approach route to the attack site was so difficult and narrow that even ambulances could not be rushed immediately. Earthmoving machines were brought in to clear the path for ambulances and the delay on this account may have added to the casualties, the officer said.
The attack is being seen as a rude reminder that terrorists are still holed up in Kashmir Valley hideouts across Tral, Anantnag and even Srinagar. “They continue to enjoy local support as the assailants may have taken shelter in forests for some days to do a proper reconnaissance, used a local guide to access the attack site through the forests and escape thereafter,” added an officer.
Immediately after his arrival, Shah held a security review meet amid indications that the terrorists may have exploited the gap between Army patrols to attack the tourists in a meadow, with no way to escape, making them easy targets — almost “sitting ducks”.
Officers were looking into if the terrorists timed the attack to coincide with shooting practice by Army personnel in a nearby range so that shots fired by them did not engage immediate attention of security forces deployed in the area
“Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared (sic),” Shah said on X.
The focus of the review meeting was also on identifying “locals” who aided the attack, with sources drawing attention to a pattern of steady attacks on the “presence of non-locals”. Shah was briefed by J&K CM Omar Abdullah, in the presence of LG Manoj Sinha and senior officials.
Sources said Victor Force, a specialised Army unit, has been brought in to comb the forests around the attack site, a sprawling meadow where 100-150 tourists from all over the country were relaxing, revelling in the stunning scenery. CRPF and J&K Police are also part of the counter-action plan.
Sources said three terrorists, suspected to be foreigners and possibly affiliated to LeT, which has traditionally had a presence in Anantnag, sneaked in, causing havoc by engaging in targeted firing at non-Muslim, non-local tourists. “Though the name of Kashmir Resistance Front has cropped up, these are just the fronts of LeT or Jaish,” said an officer.
The officer said the approach route to the attack site was so difficult and narrow that even ambulances could not be rushed immediately. Earthmoving machines were brought in to clear the path for ambulances and the delay on this account may have added to the casualties, the officer said.
The attack is being seen as a rude reminder that terrorists are still holed up in Kashmir Valley hideouts across Tral, Anantnag and even Srinagar. “They continue to enjoy local support as the assailants may have taken shelter in forests for some days to do a proper reconnaissance, used a local guide to access the attack site through the forests and escape thereafter,” added an officer.
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