Kashmir, August 28, 2025 – In a significant revelation from the ongoing investigation into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has disclosed that the terrorists deliberately selected the picturesque Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir due to its heavy tourist footfall, relative isolation, and the anticipated delay in security response time. The April 22 assault, which claimed 26 lives, was meticulously planned to maximize casualties among civilians, primarily tourists enjoying the scenic valley often dubbed ‘Mini Switzerland’.The NIA’s findings, announced on Thursday, underscore the strategic calculus behind the choice of location. “Three terrorists were directly involved in the brutal terror attack in which 26 people were killed in cold blood on April 22,” an NIA spokesman stated. The agency emphasized that Baisaran was chosen for its “high tourist presence, relative isolation, and after considering that the response from the security agencies would take time.” This combination allowed the attackers to execute their plan with minimal immediate interference, targeting male tourists who were picnicking, taking pony rides, or gathering near eateries with their families, including young children and parents.The attack, carried out by Pakistani nationals affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), marked one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Armed with AK-47s and M4 carbines, the militants infiltrated the area through surrounding forests and unleashed indiscriminate fire, singling out non-Muslims in a targeted manner. The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT proxy, initially claimed responsibility, citing opposition to non-local settlements following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Investigation and Arrests
The NIA’s probe has pieced together crucial details through forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and interrogations. In June, the agency arrested two local Kashmiris—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Pahalgam—for harboring the terrorists. The duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the assailants at a hut approximately 2 kilometers from Baisaran on April 21, the day before the attack. Their disclosures revealed the identities of the three perpetrators: Suleman Shah alias Faizal Jatt, Abu Hamza, and Yasir, all Pakistani LeT operatives.DNA samples from the arrested individuals matched mitochondrial profiles from blood on a ripped shirt found at the scene, confirming their links to the attackers. Forensic analysis of weapons recovered—three AK-103 rifles—showed striation patterns matching 7.62×39mm cartridge casings from Baisaran. The National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) is examining satellite phones and communication sets seized from the terrorists for evidence of Pakistani involvement.
The militants evaded capture for over three months, hiding in the Dachigam-Harwan forest belt on Srinagar’s outskirts. On July 28, Indian security forces, including Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Para Special Forces, neutralized them in a joint operation code-named ‘Operation Mahadev’. Launched immediately after the attack, the operation prevented the terrorists from escaping to Pakistan.
India’s Retaliatory Response: Operation Sindoor
In swift retaliation to the Pahalgam outrage, the Indian armed forces executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, conducting precision strikes on nine terrorist hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The targets included headquarters and training centers of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), organizations accused of orchestrating attacks against India. The operation damaged at least 18 Pakistani defense bases, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistan has denied involvement, maintaining it provides only “diplomatic and moral support” to Kashmiri separatists.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” and vowed to pursue perpetrators “to the ends of the earth.” The incident prompted India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a move Pakistan labeled an “act of war.” International leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, expressed solidarity with India against terrorism.
Broader Context and Security Lapses
The Pahalgam attack occurred amid heightened tourism in the region, with around 3.5 million visitors in 2024. Baisaran, accessible only by foot or pony and lacking permanent Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployment, saw nearly 1,000 tourists in the days leading up to the assault. A J&K government official noted that the meadow has been open year-round without requiring police permits, highlighting potential security gaps. The first responder, Pahalgam’s Station House Officer, arrived to a scene of carnage, with other forces taking over an hour to reach due to the terrain.
Eyewitness accounts, including a tree-top video captured by a local photographer and testimony from an Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel vacationing with his family, have been pivotal. The officer’s detailed recollection helped reconstruct the sequence: terrorists emerging from shops, demanding recitals of the Kalma, and executing victims with headshots before opening crossfire.
The NIA continues to investigate overground workers and ex-militants, with bounties of ₹20 lakh offered for information on suspects. This incident has reignited debates on infiltration routes, with seven tunnels detected along the border and 35 LeT terrorists eliminated since April.
As the investigation progresses, the Pahalgam attack serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat from cross-border terrorism, prompting calls for enhanced security in tourist hotspots.
