Intelligence agencies had warned of attack on tourists in Kashmir around April 19

Indian intelligence agencies had alerted security officials about a potential terrorist attack targeting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the deadly attack in Pahalgam , in which 26 people were killed. According to officials, this alert specifically mentioned Srinagar and was timed around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to the region on April 19th.

The intelligence bureau and other agencies indicated that the attack could occur in or near Srinagar. However, they also noted that the intelligence information did not specifically mention Pahalgam.

In response to these warnings, security measures were increased in and around Srinagar. This included enhanced security at several hotels popular with tourists and at tourist destinations like Dachigam National Park, located about 22 kilometres from Srinagar.

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Ultimately, the PM’s visit was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions in the area. It was on April 22nd that terrorists successfully carried out their attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which is situated 90 kilometres away from Srinagar. Tragically, 26 people, all of whom were men, were killed in what officials described as an attack carried out along religious lines.

“Nine out of ten times they don’t come to anything, but this one proved correct about tourists. The interpretation, which is the trickiest part, got the location wrong," a senior police officer said.

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An official also revealed that the Indian Army and other security forces in Jammu and Kashmir had been instructed to prepare for a potential attack near a tourist spot in Srinagar around the time of PM Modi’s intended visit.

Prime Minister Modi was supposed to travel by helicopter to approximately three different locations. However, the poor weather conditions disrupted these plans. Despite the cancellation of his visit, security forces remained vigilant and did not reduce their level of alertness.

The Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Nalin Prabhat, was present in Srinagar for four days, closely monitoring all areas surrounding the city. When the terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam on April 22nd, he had just arrived in Jammu and had to return to Srinagar immediately.

All officials have confirmed that there was no specific intelligence indicating a possible terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Officials believe that after the PM’s visit to the Union Territory was cancelled, the terrorists remained in hiding and waited for another opportunity to strike. Just one day after the cancellation, on April 16th, it was officially announced that US Vice President JD Vance would be undertaking a 4-day visit to India, a trip that had been planned for some time.

According to the officials, the oversight was the failure to anticipate an attack in the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam. This area remains open to visitors throughout the year, with the exception of the period when the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage takes place.