How Pahalgam terrorists are still hiding in south Kashmir

The hunt is on for the terrorists of the deadly Pahalgam attack. At least two Pakistan nationals and one resident of south Kashmir were involved in the April 22 massacre that claimed 26 lives, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Indian agencies believe there was a fourth terrorist who remained hidden nearby to provide backup. Now, there are reports that these terrorists are still in the area.

Let’s take a closer look.

What inquiry reveal about Pahalgam attack

The Pahalgam attackers were present in the scenic Baisaran Valley, some five kilometres from Pahalgam, at least two days before the terror attack at the place on April 22.

The interrogation of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) after the carnage revealed that the terrorists had conducted a recce of three other tourist locations, including Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and an amusement park.

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However, they did not target these places due to the presence of high security, NDTV reported, citing NIA sources.

Instead, they picked the Baisaran meadow, a place accessible only on a pony ride or on foot. As per India Today sources, two terrorists entered the meadow through the main gate, one was at the exit and the fourth is believed to have been hiding in the surrounding pine forest to give backup.

Three of these terrorists opened fire on the unsuspecting tourists who were enjoying their visit with their loved ones at the picturesque meadow.

The first shots were fired near the exit gate, sparking panic among the tourists who then rushed towards the entrance gate. There, the other two terrorists also opened fire on the tourists.

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Reports say the attackers are believed to have had advanced communication equipment that does not require a SIM card and allows for short-range encrypted messaging. They may have used three satellite phones to evade the radar of the Indian security forces before the attack.

Pahalgam terrorists in south Kashmir?

The Pahalgam attackers are still in south Kashmir and have provisions to sustain themselves, National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources told NDTV.

The terrorists can stay hidden in the dense forests as they are self-reliant, carrying food supplies and other essential provisions.

This allows them to remain in the forested terrain for long without the need for external logistical support.

Why manhunt for Pahalgam terrorists is tough

The terrorists remain out of reach of the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Their possible experience in jungle warfare and the terrain in the region is to their advantage.

Over the last four years, Pakistani nationals trained in jungle warfare and armed with advanced rifles and communication equipment have been spreading terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have been fighting terrorism for more than three decades now; this is real guerrilla warfare. We have observed over the last two years that these terrorists have military training, are armed with US-made rifles and have bullet-proof jackets and steel bullets with them,” a senior police officer told Indian Express. “From their training and weapons, we can’t rule out the presence of Pakistani army regulars or retired commissioned officers among them.”

These terrorists move in a group of three to four, with at least one member carrying the American-made M4 carbine. The lightweight assault rifle can fire roughly 900 rounds in a minute.

The terrorists have also been leveraging topography in their favour. Dense forest cover extends from Kathua in Jammu to south Kashmir in the Valley. These forests are so dense that the visibility is less than 10 meters in some places, as per the Indian Express report. Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, one of the Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, is highly trained and adept at surviving in the jungle.

According to a senior Army officer, terrorists plan their attack “in detail”. “They sometimes plan for months, do reconnaissance before an attack. They plan their escape routes beforehand. Take the example of the Baisaran attack (on tourists). It seems they had calculated the reaction time of the forces. They knew they would have to travel on foot and it would take them an hour,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The Pahalgam attackers are suspected to be hiding in the upper reaches of Anantnag. A Jammu and Kashmir Police source said that they are using technical evidence and local help to catch the perpetrators, Indian Express reported.

With inputs from agencies