Terrorists Arrived in J&K A Week Before Pahalgam Attack, Decided Among Three Tourist Spots: Sources

The terrorists conducted a recce of the Aru Valley. However, the terrorists struck down the idea of attacking the valley after they spotted security camps in the vicinity. 

More than a week after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has revealed that the group of terrorists arrived in the region nearly a week before carrying out the strike, sources said.

According to sources, the four Pakistani terrorists, along with their local associates, reached Pahalgam on April 15, a week before the attack. 

The terrorists then joined forces with Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and began scouting several potential targets across the area.

They also said that the terrorists conducted a recce of the Aru Valley. However, the terrorists struck down the idea of attacking the valley after they spotted security camps in the vicinity. 

The terrorists then surveyed an amusement park along the road leading to Aru, however, the location was also rejected as it received low footfall.

Their attention then shifted to Betaab Valley, a tourist spot along the route of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Though the valley received footfall, making it a potential target, the strong presence of security forces during the pilgrimage forced the attackers to abandon their plans of attack.

Finally, three days before the deadly assault, the terrorists narrowed down to the Baisaran Valley. 

On April 22, terrorists opened fire at Baisaran, a famed meadow about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.

A day prior to the attack, local OGWs were reportedly instructed to reach Baisaran by 2 pm on April 22. 

Around half an hour later, the first shots were fired at the tourists.

Manhunt Continues Amid Fresh Clashes

Since the attack, security forces have launched an intensive search operation across the valley. According to officials, troops have twice encountered the terrorists — once in the dense forests of Kokernag and again in Doru. 

In a bid to flush out the terrorists, large swathes of the jungle have been set ablaze, however, the terrorists remain elusive.

What has sparked deep concern among security agencies is that, despite the massive manhunt, only two terrorists have been sighted so far during the search operations.