As per sources, the terrorists of the Pahalgam terror attack reached Jammu-Kashmir almost a week ago of the incident. After conducting a recce of several tourist places, 'Baisaran Valley' in Pahalgam was chosen as the target for the terrorist attack on April 22 (Tuesday). The terror attack in Pahalgam had targeted a group of tourists, leaving 26 people dead, including one Nepali national. India has since taken strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan over its alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
Another major revelation has emerged from sources regarding the Pahalgam attack. The terrorists had earlier conducted reconnaissance of all major tourist spots in Pahalgam such as Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, and Baisaran. This recce was carried out by two local terrorists involved in the attack along with five Over Ground Workers (OGWs), and they roamed the forests of Pahalgam for nearly a week.Initially, the terrorists had planned to target Betaab Valley, but at the last moment, the plan was changed, and the Baisaran tourist spot was chosen instead. This decision was made because the terrorists found it easier to escape from that area after carrying out the attack. This information was kept secret until the end and was shared only with fellow OGWs, Pakistani handlers, and the two Pakistani terrorists.
On April 20, the Pakistani terrorists began ascending towards Baisaran, and after a two-day trek, they reached the forests near Baisaran. There, they met the local terrorists who had done the reconnaissance; OGWs were not present at that point. The group stayed there for two days, and the attack was executed on April 22.
On the morning of April 22, the OGWs were informed that the attack would now take place at the Baisaran tourist spot, and it would be carried out in the afternoon so that darkness would fall soon after, making it easier for the attackers to escape into the forest at night.
India warns Pakistan against unprovoked ceasefire violations
Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline on Tuesday to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence sources said on Wednesday. They said India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LOC) and the International Border. The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC).
The Army responded swiftly to the ceasefire violation on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K), officials said. The Indian Army had also responded effectively to the Pakistan Army firing along the LoC on the night of April 26-27 in areas opposite the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors, as per officials. There has been a rise in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC. Security forces have intensified anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley in the aftermath of the Phalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met a day after the Pahalgam terror attack. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
India has taken a raft of measures against Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. India has also decided to curtail the strength of High Commissions. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
