Pahalgam, May 1, 2025 – In response to the devastating April 22, 2025, terror attack in Baisaran meadow that claimed 26 lives, security has been significantly intensified across Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces, including the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police, have been deployed along the route leading to Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot now under strict surveillance. Concurrently, routine maintenance of CCTV cameras is underway in Pahalgam’s bustling market to ensure enhanced monitoring, reflecting a comprehensive effort to restore safety and confidence in the region.
The attack, executed by five terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), targeted tourists in Baisaran meadow, dubbed “mini Switzerland,” leaving 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen dead. The incident, the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama attack, exposed security lapses, as Baisaran had been opened to tourists two months early without prior notification to security forces. To address this, authorities have established additional checkpoints, intensified patrolling, and expanded joint combing operations within a 5-km radius of the attack site, utilizing special forces, sniffer dogs, and technical intelligence.
In Pahalgam’s market, routine CCTV maintenance is ensuring that surveillance systems function optimally, with technicians repairing and upgrading cameras to monitor crowded areas effectively. “We’re leaving no stone unturned to secure the town,” said a senior police official, noting that the market is gradually regaining its vibrancy as locals and tourists return. Social media posts on X, including one from ANI on April 30, 2025, highlighted the deployment of forces on the Baisaran route and ongoing CCTV maintenance, signaling a return to normalcy.
The heightened security measures come amid a resilient resurgence of tourism in Pahalgam, with visitors, including a Vietnamese tourist who called Kashmir “a heaven on earth,” praising the region’s hospitality. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), led by Director General Sadanand Date, is actively probing the attack, focusing on three suspected LeT operatives and cross-border links to Pakistan. India’s diplomatic response, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari-Wagah border, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Despite the tragedy, Pahalgam’s spirit remains unbroken. The administration’s swift security enhancements, coupled with the community’s warmth, are fostering a sense of safety, encouraging tourists to explore the town’s scenic beauty while authorities work to prevent future threats.
