Security Forces Narrow In On Pahalgam Terrorists 'Four Times' In South Kashmir

Security forces have located the Pahalgam attackers "at least four times" at various locations over the past five days, coming "very close" to cornering them in the forests of South Kashmir - and, on one occasion, even exchanging fire with them, The Indian Express reported.

According to sources, the terrorists were tracked using information from local residents, intelligence inputs, and combing operations.

Photo Credit: PTI

"It's a cat and mouse game. There have been instances where they have been visibly located. But by the time they could be engaged, they had escaped. The forests are extremely dense, making it difficult to pursue them even after spotting them. However, we are confident we will capture them; it is only a matter of days," an officer from the military establishment told the newspaper.

The Army, in coordination with Central Armed Police Forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, has been conducting cordon and search operations in the forests surrounding Pahalgam in pursuit of the four terrorists - including two from Pakistan - responsible for the killing of 26 people at Baisaran meadow on 21 April.

Sources indicated that the terrorists were first sighted near Hapat Nar village in Pahalgam tehsil, Anantnag, but managed to escape by exploiting the dense terrain.

Subsequently, they were reportedly spotted in the forests of Kulgam, where a brief exchange of fire occurred with security forces before they fled once more.

The group was later located near the Tral ridge and then in Kokernag, where they are currently believed to be operating.

Sources said the manhunt has been complicated by the terrorists' extreme caution in securing supplies.

"Typically, terrorists need to arrange for food, which often draws them to villages. At times, they use local contacts to bring supplies to them in the forests, generating human intelligence that gives security forces an opportunity to act. However, these individuals are operating with great care," said an officer.

"We are aware of an incident where they entered a house at dinner time, seized food, and fled. By the time security forces were alerted and arrived, significant time had passed, allowing the terrorists to escape," he added.

Another complication, sources mentioned, is the lighter snowfall in the Kishtwar range this season.

"This provides the terrorists with the opportunity to cross towards the Jammu side, where the forests are denser and the terrain more challenging. They have been using the Kishtwar range to manoeuvre, but we believe they are still within South Kashmir," the officer said.

"There is a 'front door' to the Kashmir side and a 'back door' leading towards Jammu. Recently, foreign terrorists have increasingly been infiltrating and operating via the Jammu side. Our counter-infiltration grid is not as robust there compared to North Kashmir," he noted.

Security forces remain optimistic that the terrorists will eventually make a mistake and be neutralised. For instance, sources revealed that the attackers took two mobile phones from the tourists they killed at Baisaran.

"It is anticipated that these phones may be used to establish communication locally or across the border. Our technical intelligence network is closely monitoring these devices for potential leads," they said.

Meanwhile, the counter-infiltration grid on both the Jammu and Kashmir sides has been strengthened, and border forces placed on high alert to prevent the terrorists from escaping across.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police are also interrogating suspected overground workers linked to terror outfits in South Kashmir to gather intelligence and ascertain whether additional individuals were involved in the attack.

The investigation is focusing on the logistical support the terrorists may have received in planning and executing the assault.