Pahalgam terror attack: CRPF unit acted first on pony operators’ alert, say sources

A CRPF unit stationed in Pahalgam town was the first to respond to the recent terror attack in Baisaran valley, where 26 tourists were gunned down by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. The alert came from pony operators fleeing the scene who informed them of gunfire.

According to sources privy to development, the CRPF team, located roughly six kilometres away in Pahalgam town, immediately set out on foot and reached the site within 30 minutes. The Baisaran meadow is only accessible by foot or horseback.

The government has acknowledged intelligence lapses in the incident, mainly due to the absence of security personnel in the tourist-heavy Baisaran valley at the time of the attack.

The CRPF unit was not deployed in Baisaran itself, as it operates under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, added sources.

At an all-party meeting convened by the Centre on April 24, Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly stated that the meadow was opened to tourists without police permission. He also mentioned that, as per government policy, Army personnel had been instructed to avoid deployment in tourist areas.

There is currently no official word on whether security presence will be increased in Pahalgam following the attack. However, large-scale combing operations are underway. Army units are searching the higher reaches, while paramilitary personnel continue searches in and around Pahalgam.

Meanwhile, there is still no clarity on the exact number of terrorists involved, or whether those whose photos were released by J&K Police—based on eyewitness accounts—are indeed the ones responsible for the attack.

In a related development, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Friday. Sources say the meeting may be part of broader efforts to strengthen security measures and prevent future attacks.

According to intelligence sources, Pulwama and Baramulla districts remain under high threat, with an estimated 45 to 50 foreign terrorists active in Pulwama and 55 to 60 in Baramulla.

J & K