Pahalgam attackers in south kashmir? More than a week after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has received credible intelligence indicating that the terrorists involved remain active and concealed in the dense forest regions of south Kashmir.
Sources close to the ongoing investigation revealed that additional attackers may still be in hiding, raising concerns about potential follow-up strikes. The April 22 attack in Baisaran valley—a popular tourist spot known as ‘mini Switzerland’—was carried out with chilling precision, suggesting extensive planning and reconnaissance.
Suspected Backup Terrorists and Strategic Positioning
According to intelligence inputs, there are strong suspicions that more terrorists were present in the vicinity during the attack but did not participate directly. These individuals may have maintained distance to provide tactical cover-fire if the Indian security forces launched an immediate counter-operation.
“The attackers were highly self-reliant,” an NIA source stated. “They carried food and essential supplies, enabling them to remain in the forest without needing external support.”
How the Pahalgam Attack Unfolded
Eyewitness accounts collected by investigators describe a harrowing scene. Four terrorists were involved in the attack: two entered through the main gate, one guarded the exit, and the fourth is believed to have remained hidden in the surrounding pine forest as backup.
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The terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists who were riding ponies, enjoying food at local stalls, or relaxing in the meadow. Two attackers were dressed in military-style fatigues, while another wore a traditional Kashmiri pheran, further adding to the confusion during the ambush.
Initial shots were fired near the exit gate. As tourists panicked and ran toward the entrance, they were caught in crossfire from terrorists stationed there.
Targeted Segregation Attempt and Use of Encrypted Tech
In a disturbing revelation, witnesses reported that the attackers tried to separate women from men and Hindus from Muslims. When the tourists resisted, the assailants asked people to recite the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith). Within moments, they began firing indiscriminately.
Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal was among the first to be killed—he had just entered the site when the firing began. The area near tea and bhelpuri stalls recorded the highest number of casualties due to the dense gathering of tourists.
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Following the massacre, the terrorists reportedly fled by jumping over a wall on the park’s left side.
Adding a layer of complexity for investigators, the attackers were using ultra-secure, SIM-less communication devices that allowed for short-range encrypted messaging, making real-time tracking by law enforcement nearly impossible.
Pre-Attack Surveillance Confirms Pre-Meditation
Investigators have also confirmed that the terrorists conducted detailed reconnaissance on April 15—just a week before the attack. Three locations were surveyed, including a local amusement park, which they ultimately skipped due to tight security presence.
The revelations have sparked further concern among security agencies, with intensified search and combing operations underway in the surrounding forests and villages of south Kashmir.
