Pahalgam – An Attack on Soul of India. by Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd)
The horrific news of terrorist’s attack on tourists at Baisaran meadows near Pahalgam on the noon of 22 April 2025 has shaken the entire nation. The barbaric manner in which the tourists were segregated based on religion and killed, ignited spontaneous anger across the nation calling for swift retribution against the perpetrators. Responses were quick in terms of launch of coordinated operations by security forces in the areas adjoining the place of incident, the Home Minister and other senior officials rushing to the valley, The Prime Minister cutting short his visit to Saudi Arabia and rushing back to Delhi chairing a meeting immediately on arrival at Palam airport.
The international community has also stood with India and condemned the dastardly attack. The Cabinet Committee on Security met on 23 April and rightfully announced number of retaliatory measures including suspension of Indus Water Treaty and downgrading diplomatic relations. Pakistan retaliated after their National Security Council meeting on 24 April by announcing similar measures, additionally putting on hold all bilateral agreements including Shimla Agreement and closing Pak airspace for Indian Airlines.
The Resistance Front, TRF, a front of LeT was quick to claim ownership of the attack. However, an attack of such magnitude could not have been carried out without local support. Selection of place and method of conduct of the attack further indicates detailed planning, possible prior recce and coordination. While the attack was possibly carried out by foreign terrorists with help of local terrorists, even in terrorist hierarchy, an attack of such magnitude would necessitate involvement of senior leaders and their handlers.
Investigations into the incident will surely unveil the puzzle, role of Pak state is evident, more so after the damning speech of Pak COAS Asif Muneer reiterating Jammu and Kashmir’s continued relevance to Pak as jugular vein.
The scale of attack, choice of targets and the timing needs further analysis to discern a possible pattern which then needs to be countered. Terrorist incidents in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir can be broadly classified into three types; the first being against the security forces to prove their dominance and relevance, the second being small scale attacks on non-locals and others aimed at creating fear psychosis within the state and third being such large-scale spectacular incident of high visibility aimed for strategic messaging of continued relevance of the insurgents in disturbed Jammu and Kashmir. Such incidents are designed to shake the confidence of the nation in the ability to restore peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Last two years saw an increase in infiltration and attempted revival of insurgency in Jammu region with numerous terror attacks. With the oncoming Amarnath Yatra, the focus was ought to be shifted back to the Kashmir valley. The selection of Baisaran, a soft target, inaccessible by vehicle with large tourist presence during this time of the year, is indicative of the nefarious design of the terrorists to cause maximum damage knowing fully well that reaction from security forces will take time giving ample opportunity to the perpetrators to flee into the jungles.
Segregation of the tourists on religious lines and their killing is also indicative of their aim of inciting communal violence hoping for a possible backlash in other parts of the country.The killing has been timed with the high profile visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India and Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia to give it more visibility. Civilians were targeted earlier as well during high profile visits; killing of 36 Sikhs in Chitisinghpura in Mar 2001 during visit of President Bill Clinton and killing of about 20 civilians in Jammu region while Prime Minister Bajpayee was visiting Lahore are still fresh in memory of the nation.
What could be the possible motives for this incident? The return of normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir as substantiated by large influx of tourists, huge turnout in smooth conduct of parliamentary elections in 2024 and peaceful acceptance of abrogation of Article 370 etc were not palatable to the terrorist leadership. Since the onset of insurgency in late 80s, whenever the internal situation has been brought under control by the security forces, some incidents have been engineered which derail the peace process.
The message sought to be driven by the terrorists by the Pahalgam incident is clear; the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir aided and abetted by Pakistani state machinery is here to stay. The return of normalcy brought about by years of hard work by Indian state and security forces are temporary, as per the terrorist’s narrative that they want to drive.
The disturbing videos of Pahalgam incident has mobilized the voices of the nation who are demanding swift retribution, possibly larger in scale than Balakot and Uri surgical strike. The Prime Minister in a public meeting in Bihar on 24 April assured the nation of strong and resolute action stating that the perpetrators and their backers will be hunted down to the end of the earth. While the nation stands together in times of this national crisis, any quickfire reaction may not possibly achieve the desired objectives.
The most important tactical level action is to hunt down the terrorists who perpetrated this heinous crime on priority and to identify and destroy their support structure. Adequate security must be ensured for the lines of communication including the railways and other vulnerable areas. Technology must be exploited to supplement the efforts of Boots on Ground.Confidence of tourists and the locals must be restored at the earliest by taking suitable security measures. With Amarnath Yatra approaching it is even more important to restore confidence in the state’s ability to maintain law and order.
A whole of nation approach is required to initiate measures at political, diplomatic, economic and military level to dissuade the inimical forces from resorting to such deplorable actions in future. An appropriate military action at the place and time of own choosing must be planned and conducted to signal the nation’s intent to avenge such dastardly acts. Development of credible deterrence to dissuade any such misadventures in future is a sine qua non. Last but not the least, the confidence of the people on the ability of the government and security forces to take appropriate action must be maintained.