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Key Points

The NIA revealed terrorists specifically chose Baisaran meadow for its heavy tourist footfall and relative isolation. Three Pakistan-based LeT terrorists killed 26 people in April by targeting male tourists around eateries and pony rides. Two local men were arrested for providing logistical support and shelter to the attackers. In response, Indian forces conducted precision strikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Key Points: NIA Reveals Pahalgam Baisaran Meadow Terror Attack Strategy

  • Three LeT terrorists targeted male tourists at eateries and pony rides
  • Attack planned considering security forces' delayed response time
  • Two locals arrested for providing food and shelter to attackers
  • Indian forces conducted precision strikes in PoK under Operation Sindoor
2 min read

Terror attack was planned in Pahalgam due to relative isolation, heavy tourist footfall in Baisaran: NIA

NIA exposes how terrorists exploited Baisaran's tourist crowds and isolation in April attack that killed 26. Details on LeT links and subsequent military response.

"The terrorists chose Baisaran due to its high tourist presence, relative isolation and after considering that the response would take time - NIA Spokesman"

Jammu, Aug 28

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Thursday that the terrorists chose Baisaran for the terror attack in April due to the heavy tourist footfall there, the relative isolation of the meadow and the response time of the security forces.

The NIA spokesman said on Thursday, “Three terrorists were directly involved in the brutal terror attack in which 26 people were killed in cold blood on April 22.

“The target was chosen considering the response time from the security agencies posted there."

“The terrorists chose Baisaran as the target due to its high tourist presence, relative isolation and after considering that the response (from the security agencies) would take time”, the NIA spokesman added.

In the targeted attack, terrorists killed male tourists around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking with their families, including young children and parents, in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam.

The NIA in June arrested two men for harbouring the three Pakistan-based terrorists, who were killed by the armed forces late last month.

The arrested persons, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Pahalgam -- disclosed the identities of the three assailants as Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The two men provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, NIA officials had said.

The three LeT terrorists, who were killed in the July 28 encounter code-named 'Operation Mahadev' on the outskirts of Srinagar, had been hiding in the Dachigam-Harwan forest belt since the attack, they revealed.

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces on May 7 carried out precision strikes at terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) under 'Operation Sindoor'.

The operation targeted nine sites, including the headquarters and training centres of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from where terror attacks against India were planned and directed.

In the resulting escalation, 18 Defence bases of Pakistan were damaged by the Indian armed forces.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why do some locals help these terrorists? Bashir and Parvaiz should get the strictest punishment for betraying their own country and people. Supporting terrorists who kill innocent families is unforgivable.
M
Michael C
The strategic thinking behind these attacks is chilling. Targeting places with high tourist density but slow security response shows how calculated these operations are. Need better security deployment in tourist areas.
A
Ananya R
My family was planning to visit Pahalgam this summer. These terror attacks not only take lives but also hurt tourism and local livelihoods. Hope the government provides better security so people can visit without fear.
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Sarah B
Operation Sindoor was a necessary response. When Pakistan-based terrorists attack our soil, we must hit back at their training centers. The damaged defense bases show our military capability. Well done Indian armed forces!
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Vikram M
While I appreciate our forces' response, we need better intelligence to prevent such attacks in the first place. How did these terrorists manage to hide in Dachigam forests for months? There should be better surveillance.

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