Pahalgam Terror Attack

Syllabus: Internal security

Source:  ToI

 Context:  A terror attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag (J&K) killed over 26 civilians, including tourists, making it the deadliest such attack since 2019.

• The strike coincided with PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia and US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to India, signalling calculated geopolitical messaging.

About the Pahalgam Terror Attack:

• What Happened?

• • Terrorists ambushed a group of ~40 tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow using automatic rifles and small arms.
  • Victims were identified by name (and likely religion) before being executed. Injured tourists were later evacuated by helicopter to Army hospitals.

• Claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF):

• • TRF, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, claimed responsibility, citing opposition to “demographic changes” through domicile certificates.

• Historical Parallels:

• • 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre: 36 Sikhs killed during Clinton’s India visit.
  • 2002 Kaluchak attack: 23 civilians, including 10 children, killed during US diplomat’s visit.
  • These patterns underline terrorists’ intent to attract global attention by targeting civilians during high-profile diplomatic visits.

Consequences of the Attack:

• Security Reversal in Kashmir: The attack undermines the perceived peace post-Article 370 abrogation, casting doubt on the success of developmental narratives.
• Tourism and Economy: Pahalgam, a tourism hub, will suffer a sharp dip in footfall, hurting local livelihoods during peak summer season.
• International Repercussions: With global leaders in India, the attack projects instability, risks diplomatic fallout, and gives leverage to adversarial narratives from Pakistan.
• Communal Tensions: Selective targeting based on identity may spark religious polarization, which terrorists aim to provoke.

Way Ahead:

• Swift Intelligence-Based Operations: Neutralize perpetrators using actionable intelligence with coordinated action between Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.
• Strategic Communication: Avoid communal rhetoric. Government must reassure the public and promote unity to deny terrorists their intended outcome.
• Revive Tourism Confidence: Offer compensation, security guarantees, and engage with tourism stakeholders to prevent economic distress in the Valley.
• Enhance Surveillance in Sensitive Zones: Deploy tech-driven solutions such as UAVs, facial recognition, and terrain mapping in high-altitude non-motorable zones.
• Diplomatic Messaging: Use platforms like UN, G20, and bilateral forums to expose cross-border terrorism and gather international support.

Conclusion:

The Pahalgam attack revives Kashmir’s troubled past and highlights the evolving nature of terror threats. India must respond decisively — balancing security, diplomacy, and communal harmony. A united front is essential to defeat the designs of terror actors and uphold the nation’s integrity.

PYQ: