Pahalgam Terror Attack: Three Pakistani Militants, Two Local Residents Linked to Deadly Assault

A devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran valley meadow near Pahalgam on Tuesday has left authorities scrambling to piece together the details of a meticulously planned assault. According to sources , at least five militants, including three believed to be from Pakistan, opened fire on tourists, killing 26 people and injuring several others in one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years.

Security officials, revealed that eyewitness accounts and intelligence reports suggest the attackers included two local militants alongside the foreign operatives. “The Urdu spoken by the foreign terrorists points to specific regions in Pakistan,” a security officer told , noting that at least two of the assailants are suspected to be local recruits. Authorities have released sketches of three suspected terrorists and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their capture. One of the suspects is believed to have been involved in a prior attack on an Indian Air Force convoy, which killed a corporal last year.

The attack unfolded in Baisaran, a scenic meadow accessible only by foot or horseback, roughly 5-6 kilometers from Pahalgam’s bustling market. The area, surrounded by dense jungle connecting Hapatnar to Chandanwari, is a popular tourist destination, often crowded with visitors enjoying its serene beauty. Local vendors sell snacks like kahwa, chips, and biscuits, but the meadow’s remoteness made it vulnerable. “This is a large and dense jungle,” an officer explained. “Depending on their escape route, the terrorists could have fled toward Tral or beyond.”

Security agencies faced criticism for failing to detect the militants’ movements in such a high-traffic tourist spot. An officer admitted to that the terrorists’ evolving tactics have made tracking them increasingly difficult. “Their modus operandi has changed drastically,” the officer said, noting that the attackers operate in small, mobile groups, avoid using electronic devices, and move swiftly through interconnected jungle routes. “They don’t stay in one place. By the time we respond to intelligence, they’ve already shifted,” the officer added, citing examples of militants relocating from Sonnarg to Pahalgam or Bandipore within days.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has dispatched a team, led by an Inspector General-rank officer, to assist local police and analyze witness statements. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site on Wednesday, meeting victims and holding security review meetings with top officials from the police, Intelligence Bureau, and Army in Srinagar. A senior officer probing the case described the killings as “cold-blooded murders,” telling that at least 12 victims were shot in the head or chest at close range. The attackers emerged from the jungle, carried out the massacre, and vanished back into the wilderness.

Investigators found an abandoned motorbike without a number plate near the site, though they believe it was not used to transport the terrorists. The officer emphasized the challenges of tracking these groups, who endure harsh conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, without relying on traceable technology. The influx of tourists in Pahalgam, where parking spaces are scarce and visitors often travel by pony, further complicates security efforts.

The attack has heightened tensions, with authorities vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. As the investigation deepens, the focus remains on unraveling the network behind this brutal assault and preventing future tragedies in one of India’s most cherished tourist destinations.