High alert after terror attack in J-K's Pahalgam
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: A group of five to six heavily armed terrorists, including two locals, are believed to be behind the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam hill station of south Kashmir on Tuesday that left 28 civilians dead, most of them tourists.
The attack, which unfolded in the popular Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, shocked Kashmir and is being described as one of the most brutal in recent years.
Witnesses to the horrific attack have provided chilling details about the terrorists’ methods. According to survivors, the attackers, dressed in military-style khaki uniforms, approached tourists and demanded to see their identity cards before opening fire with AK-47 rifles.
The gunmen reportedly targeted civilians indiscriminately, sending the crowd into a state of panic and confusion.
Sources said the terrorists were in the area for over an hour before fleeing the scene. “During this time, they carried out the attack and seemingly executed a well-planned strategy to ensure maximum casualties,” they said.
A senior police official said this was a pre-planned attack and the terrorists carefully singled out tourists after verifying their identities. “It appears the attack was meticulously planned and executed to cause as many casualties as possible,” he said.
While the identities of the attackers remain under investigation, officials believe that the group may include two local terrorists with prior knowledge of the area.