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Agency has already recorded statements of eyewitnesses, others who were present in the vicinity when the April 22 attack occurred

Adil Akhzer

National Investigation Agency chief Sadanand Date visited Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Thursday to oversee the ongoing investigation into the April 22 deadly terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and one local.

Multiple teams from the agency have already visited the Baisaran meadow—an area near Pahalgam that is accessible only on foot—where the terror attack occurred.

A senior official said that the NIA DG’s visit to Pahalgam is part of the ongoing investigation, during which he will review the situation on the ground.

Sources said Date will be briefed on the progress made so far in the probe. Senior NIA officers are already involved in the investigation, which is said to be progressing swiftly.

The agency has already recorded statements of eyewitnesses and others who were present in the vicinity when the April 22 attack occurred, they added.

Among those questioned are ponywalas who were in the vicinity at the time of the attack. The head of the Ponywala Association was among the first responders to reach the attack site when the incident occurred.

In the wake of the attack, large-scale anti-terror operations have been launched across South Kashmir to track down the assailants.

The J&K Police have released sketches and identified the suspected assailants—two Pakistani nationals and one local militant linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group. The suspects have been named as Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag, and Pakistani nationals Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi, and Hashim Musa alias Suleman.

Authorities have detained over 2,000 individuals across the Valley for questioning as part of the investigation.

Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LOC) for the seventh consecutive night by its unprovoked firing in several sectors across three border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday. Army officials said during the…

Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LOC) for the seventh consecutive night by its unprovoked firing in several sectors across three border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

Army officials said during the night of April 30-May 1, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control opposite Kupwara, Uri and Akhnoor. Indian Army troops responded swiftly and proportionately, they added.

The exchange of fire expanded to the Poonch sector and subsequently to the Akhnoor sector of the Jammu region. It was followed by small arms firing on several posts along the LoC in the Sunderbani and Naushera sectors of Rajouri district on Tuesday night. Subsequently, it expanded to the Pargwal sector along the International Border in Jammu district on Wednesday.

In Kashmir, officials stated that an alert has been issued in the border areas and security has been tightened in nearby towns. At the border towns, locals fear the ceasefire agreement, which was renewed in 2021, looks fragile and may not hold long.

Terming Pakistan as a “failed state”, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Thursday said relations between New Delhi and Islamabad would never improve until a peoples’ government is elected in the neighbouring country. Speaking to reporters after a party event…

Terming Pakistan as a “failed state”, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Thursday said relations between New Delhi and Islamabad would never improve until a peoples’ government is elected in the neighbouring country.

Speaking to reporters after a party event at the NC headquarters here, he also said the people of Pakistan want friendship with India as he warned that war between the two countries would have dangerous consequences.

“There is tension, but I cannot say whether it is a final option or not. The rulers of the two countries have to decide that,” Abdullah said when asked whether a war between India and Pakistan was the final option.

However, the former chief minister said the relations between the two countries would improve only when the army “goes” and there is peoples’ government in Pakistan.

“I do not think the relations between India and Pakistan will ever improve unless the army goes. People of Pakistan want friendship with India, people but not the hierarchy there. When the peoples’ government will come, I am sure there will be peace between India and Pakistan,” he added.

Terming Pakistan a “failed state”, the NC president said rather than working for the betterment of the country, its people and to improve the situation, the rulers of the country have chosen confrontation with India to escape their responsibilities.

“The consequences will be dangerous if there is a war as both have nuclear power. If they use that, then only God know what will happen,” he warned.

Asserting that Kashmir was passing through “a difficult time”, Abdullah said it cannot be predicted what the future holds. “Both the countries are preparing to face each other in a battlefield. Efforts are being made across the globe that this (war) should not happen and some way is found to nab those behind the attack as well as their masterminds. How much will the world succeed in stopping this, only God knows,” he said.

Asked about deportations of Pakistani nationals, the former chief minister said the action was against humanity. “On humanitarian grounds, I can say that this action is not good and is against the humanity. They have been living here for 70 years or 25 years or five years, they were here, their children were here, studying here. They have not hurt India. In fact, they have accepted India. So, this will not have good consequences,” he said.

To a question about the Centre’s announcement of a caste census in the country, Abdullah said there was nothing wrong in that. “People were demanding it from day one, it is not a new thing. It was demanded by the people. It is a good thing. Some say there are 11 or 12 crore Muslims, some 14 and some 22 crore.

“So, for the first time, we will come to know how many people there are Brahmin, how many are lower caste and how many are Muslims, Sikhs or Christians or others. Let us come to know. There is nothing wrong in that,” he added.

In response to a question about the reports of harassment of the residents of J&K outside the Union territory, Abdullah said some people have a habit of harassing people but we should not fear those.

“Not only the government here, but the other governments also are seeing to it that it does not happen. There are people in our country that say things like that or do something like that. They are not concerned about what will happen in the country, they have a habit of harassing people.

“Was (Nathuram) Godse not from here (India) who killed Mahatama Gandhi? Such people are there, such people will be there, and we should not fear them,” he said.

#BhagwantMann #NayabSaini #SYLDispute In this episode of Decode Punjab, The Tribune Special Correspondents Ruchika M Khanna and Bhartesh Thakur bring the politics and facts in the latest water war between the two states. #BhagwantMann #NayabSaini #SYLDispute #PunjabVsHaryana #WaterCrisis #RiverWaterSharing #InterstateConflict

Treating them with respect and dignity is vital for gaining their support in Kashmir

Julio Ribeiro

IT was most gracious of the BJP-led government to admit its failure to anticipate the Pahalgam attack and recite the ‘mea culpa’ at an all-party meeting. It is customary for the party in power to deflect blame or cite excuses when such glaring lapses happen. This was perhaps the first time in recent memory that a defaulter accepted blame. By doing the unthinkable, it united the entire country solidly behind it.

As a former IPS officer who was in the forefront of the fight against terror in Punjab in the 1980s, I will refresh the memory of my readers about the intrinsic nature of terrorism. As the word ‘terrorism’ indicates, terrorists strive to create terror in the minds of their victims and the population at large. They do this through random killings of innocent people who normally keep as far away from the predators as grazing deer keep from the big cats.

Surprise is the key to success. Terrorists strike when and where they are least likely to. Amritsar and Tarn Taran were their happy hunting grounds when they began their depredations. When those districts were fully covered by security forces, they struck at hitherto soft targets in the interior. If the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had studied the history of Punjab’s terrorism, he would not have left his flanks unguarded.

Tourists had started flocking to Pahalgam in recent weeks. Tourist operators had found a vast meadow where school picnics were routinely organised as it was ideal for pony rides. If the beat policemen had been doing their job well, they would have been in a position to provide the human intelligence (Humint) to their seniors and the latter would have alerted Srinagar about this tourist destination.

The importance of beat policing and Humint was obviously not sufficiently appreciated by those entrusted with the operations. It is only locals who can give information about the presence of strangers or about unusual movements in their localities. They will share such suspicions with the beat policeman if he has been interacting with them and they trust him.

Local residents are central and crucial to policing even in normal times. In terrorism-affected states, they spell the difference between life and death. When some local elements are roped in by terrorist syndicates, the importance of Humint multiplies manifold.

The importance of treating locals with the respect and dignity which every human being expects and is entitled to is highlighted during times of terror activities. When they feel that they are part and parcel of the government’s fight against terrorism, they will part with the crucial information needed to plan defensive measures.

Terrorists are invariably co-religionists of the majority of the population. It would be unnatural for these locals not to harbour sneaking sympathy for them. The task of the security forces is compounded by this unspoken sympathy, which vanishes if and when the terrorists misbehave with the people, especially women.

Terrorism has been described as a low-cost war. Not without a reason has this description stuck. Terrorism is invariably resorted to by the weaker party to a conflict. The weaker is not in a position to best the stronger in regular combat. It then takes recourse to terror by killing innocent citizens who are not even remotely connected with the dispute against the state. Terrorists hope that the terrorised will put pressure on the state to concede to their unreasonable demands.

No government in recorded history has given in to terrorists. Terrorism has never succeeded in achieving its objectives. Yet, the scourge continues. The only known solution to this low-cost war is to win over the hearts and minds of the local population. Since the locals are co-religionists of the miscreants, that is not easy. But it can happen with effort.

Punjab got rid of the scourge after Jat Sikh farmers started informing the police about the presence of terrorists in their villages. The police, led by KPS Gill, put unbearable pressure on the farmers, forcing them to cooperate with the security forces.

When a state is afflicted by terrorism, local conditions have to be studied before plans are made. In J&K, the LG, who still oversees anti-terrorist operations and the maintenance of law and order, appears to have lapsed into complacency. This proved fatal. In terrorism-affected areas, you cannot afford to let your guard down even for a moment.

Amit Shah, who helms the Home Ministry, has phoned all chief ministers to prepare a list of Pakistanis who are staying in their states on visas. Deportation appears to be a knee-jerk reaction. Pakistanis who are on the Intelligence Bureau’s radar may be told to leave, but most of the others would be harmless. Some have come for medical attention. There is nothing to be gained by deporting them.

Our intelligence should take the help of friendly countries whose agents are often better placed than ours to trace the perpetrators of the attack and their handlers in Pakistan. The culprits should be identified and dealt with. It will involve a battle of wits between Pakistani’s ISI and our Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). If we are to avenge the Pahalgam attack, R&AW needs to emerge victorious. It is capable of doing that.

When the Pahalgam massacre was reported in the media, the entire country reacted as one entity. Even the Muslims of Kashmir, on whose behalf the terrorists felt they were acting, were furious. This one act of terror had hit them where it hurts most — their livelihoods.

The Modi government should have based its reply to Pakistan on this collective anger of the people, cutting across religions. Instead, it resorted to dynamiting the houses of the purported terrorists. The priority assigned to this short-cut measure is emblematic of this government. It keeps boasting that it is a strong government, unlike its predecessors. Lost in self-praise, it lapsed into complacency.

What it urgently needs to do is to replace its muscular philosophy of policing with the age-old conclusion of experts that the only way to end terrorism is to win the hearts and minds of the community to which the terrorists belong.

Entire fleet was grounded after Jan 5 crash

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

The government has cleared the fleet of nearly 330 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) with the Army and Indian Air Force for flying, ending nearly four months of embargo on their operations. The move comes in the backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.

The ALH Dhruv has been in service since 2002 and the Army uses around 200 helicopters, while the IAF has 75. The ALH versions used by the Navy and Coast Guard are yet to get the green signal for flying.

The helicopter is engaged in logistics, transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare operations. A version of the helicopter is also armed for combat support for ground troops.

The manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in a statement said “the ALH Dhruv Army and Air Force versions are cleared for operations based on the Defect Investigation (DI) Committee recommendations”.

A time-bound plan for the resumption of operations has been worked out with the users, it added.The entire ALH fleet of the armed forces was grounded for a comprehensive check after a Coast Guard helicopter crashed on January 5, killing three personnel on board.

A report of the ‘defect investigation team’ set up by the HAL evaluated whether the crash took place due to a snag in the crashed helicopter or general defects in the fleet. The prima facie cause of the January 5 crash was a fracture in the ‘swash plate’ — it connects parts of the control rods that channel energy from the engine to rotors.

In the past 25 years, ALHs have witnessed 28 crashes, of which 13 have been due to technical reasons and 13 caused by human error. Two remain unknown.

The helicopter is touted as a major success for the indigenous military equipment manufacturing programme. Its armed variant — Light Combat Helicopter (ACH) — is being built on the same platform and engines.

Due to the grounding of the fleet, the ALH was not part of the Republic Day fly past or the Aero India. The twin-engine utility helicopter is designed for both military and civilian roles.

After days of emotional reunions and goodbyes involving those whose visas were suspended in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check-Post remained completely shut on Thursday. Not a single Pakistani citizen was allowed to cross over,…

Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service

After days of emotional reunions and goodbyes involving those whose visas were suspended in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check-Post remained completely shut on Thursday.

Not a single Pakistani citizen was allowed to cross over, nor did any Indian national enter from the other side. The Ministry of Home Affairs had ordered to halt the movement of passengers and goods through Attari by April 30.

Still, nearly 40 persons arrived at Attari from various parts of the country for deportation to Pakistan. Among them were sisters Saida Zameer Fatima and Saida Saheer Fatima, who were accompanied by their cousin Murawat Hussain Shah and the police from Rajouri.

As the elderly sisters clutched his hands, Murawat said they had arrived in India in 1983 on valid visas after the death of their father and brother, their sole caretakers in Pakistan. “They have no one left in Pakistan. Whatever they have is here in India. They don’t want to leave,” said Murawat, his voice choking with emotion.

Another heart-wrenching case was that of a woman from Karachi, whose child had an Indian passport while she carried a Pakistani one. “Either allow me to stay here or let my four-year-old son accompany me to Pakistan,” pleaded the woman, sobbing uncontrollably.

Also waiting in anguish was Delhi resident Mohammad Shariq, who arrived at Attari to see his sisters Nabeela Raj and Sharmin Irfan off to Pakistan. Married in the neighbouring nation, the women had come to India on a 45-day visa to visit their ailing mother. “Our children are waiting for us. Please allow us to return,” the sisters pleaded with the security officials at the ICP.

Among others was a group of Pakistani Hindu nationals, who were on a visit to Haridwar to perform the last rites of their relatives. A taxi breakdown caused them to miss the deadline by a few hours, leaving them stranded on this side of the border.

After waiting for several hours, none received any response from the authorities at Attari. “No one is allowed to leave or enter the country. The gates are closed—don’t know till when,” said an ICP official.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL seeking an SIT probe headed by a former judge into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 tourists and a local were killed. “Be…

Satya Prakash Tribune News Service

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL seeking an SIT probe headed by a former judge into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 tourists and a local were killed.

“Be responsible before filing such a PIL. You have some duty towards the country also. This is the way you are trying to demoralise the forces in this hour of crisis and juncture? You are asking a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate. Since when retired high court and Supreme Court judges have become experts in investigation? We only decide disputes. Don’t ask us to pass an order,” a Bench of Justice Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh said.

“This is not the time. This is the crucial hour when each and every citizen of this country has joined hands to fight this terrorism… Don’t make any prayer which can demoralise our forces… it is not acceptable to us. Look at the sensitivity of the issue,” Justice Kant told the lawyer who mentioned the matter for urgent hearing.

Judges aren’t investigation experts

“Since when retired high court and Supreme Court judges have become experts in investigation? Don’t make any prayer that can demoralise our forces… Look at the sensitivity of the issue” SC Bench

The Bench pulled up the lawyer for filing the petition seeking a probe into the Pahalgam massacre. As the Bench was not inclined to entertain the PIL, the petitioners chose to withdraw the petition.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is already investigating the case.

Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Md Junaid and advocates Fatesh Kumar Shahu and Vicky Kumar had sought a direction to the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Reserve Police Force and the NIA to prepare an action plan for ensuring the safety of citizens in tourist spots in the union territory.

They also wanted the top court to direct the Centre to form a special investigation team (SIT) to ensure accountability over the terror attack.

In an unusual move, the Supreme Court had on April 23 condemned the “cowardly terrorist attack on tourists”. Terming it a “diabolical act of mindless violence”, a resolution unanimously adopted by the Full Court said, “The nation stands with the victims and their families in this hour of indescribable grief.”

The Supreme Court judges, lawyers, members of the staff and all other persons present in the court and in the Registry had observed two-minute silence expressing solidarity with the victims as well as their bereaved families.

Says the Modi government has been pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday vowed to hunt down each and every terrorist involved in the Pahalgam attack and said all of them will be made answerable for the heinous act.

Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government will not spare any terrorist.

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“Whoever has carried out the dastardly attack in Pahalgam, we will not spare anyone. We will hunt down each and every perpetrator,” he said at an event here to unveil a statue of Upendra Nath Brahma, the patriarch of Assam’s Bodo community, and name a road after him.

The home minister said the Modi government has been pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists.

“If someone thinks they will escape by carrying out such a cowardly attack, they are wrong. This is Narendra Modi’s government. We will not spare anyone,” he said.

Shah said the government’s fight against terrorism will continue till the menace is completely wiped out.

“Do not think that you have won by killing 26 people. Every one of you will be made answerable,” he said. (With PTI)

Hegseth offers ‘strong support’ | Rubio tells Pak to cooperate in probe

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

In a day of intense diplomatic messaging, India has conveyed to the US that the perpetrators, backers, and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack must be brought to justice. The US has reiterated strong support to India and  asked it and Pakistan to “work with each other” to de-escalate tensions while making it clear that it supports India’s right to defend itself.

Will hunt down terrorists: Shah

Whoever has carried out the dastardly attack in Pahalgam, we will not spare anyone. We’ll hunt down each & every perpetrator… Everyone of you will be made answerable: Amit Shah, Home Minister

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth spoke with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A statement from the Ministry of Defence said, “The US Secretary of Defence reiterated the full support of the US government in India’s fight against terrorism.” The statement quoted Hegseth as saying, “The US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself.”

Rajnath Singh told the US Secretary of Defence that Pakistan had a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations. He said, “Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue state, fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism.”

Hegseth took to X late on Thursday, saying, “I offered my strong support. We stand with India and its great people. I have spoken with Rajnath to personally extend my deepest condolences for the loss of life in the heinous terrorist attack last week.”

Hours earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called up External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In a post on X, the EAM said, “Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with the US (Rubio). Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.”

Rubio also made a separate phone call to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that Rubio spoke with Jaishankar on Wednesday. The Secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack and reaffirmed the US’ commitment to cooperate with India against terrorism. “He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace in South Asia,” Bruce said.

In another statement, Bruce mentioned that Rubio spoke with Pakistani PM. The Secretary emphasised the need to condemn the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence. “The Secretary urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack. He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications and maintain peace and security in South Asia,” Bruce added.