Vande Bharat Train Inauguration and Kashmir Terrorism: A Strategic Move or Mere Coincidence?

National News: Recently, intelligence agencies had issued an alert for terrorist attacks in the Kashmir Valley. Security forces conducted intensive search operations for 10 days in Dal Lake, Shalimar, Nishat, Harvan and Dachigam areas of Srinagar. Along with this, patrolling at major tourist destinations like Sonamarg and Gulmarg was also increased. Security was increased in all these areas where workers from outside states and people from minority communities were living. Despite this, the terrorists carried out a dreadful massacre in Basaron area of ​​Pahalgam on 22 April, killing 26 people.

Conspiracy to attack around the inauguration of Vande Bharat Rail Service

Intelligence agencies were informed that the terrorists had planned to make a major attack at the time of the inauguration of the Katra-Srinagar Vanderat Rail Service. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 19 was postponed due to weather, but the security forces still continued their search and patrolling. According to intelligence sources, the aim of terrorists and their handlers was that with the establishment of rail connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari with Vanderat Rail Service, the message was sent to the terrorists that there is a situation of peace in Kashmir, which could have become a challenge for them. For this reason, the terrorists attacked this in Pahalgam on 22 April.

Conspiracy to target tourists: the way of attackers

During the investigation, it was revealed that two local terrorists got mixed up with tourists before the attack in Basaron. As soon as the first bullet was fired, they gathered tourists in the food court premises, where two other terrorists opened fire and brutally murdered 26 innocent people. The arms recovered from the scene include the assault rifle, M4 carbine, sniper rifle tablets and steel bullets. According to sources, these weapons are related to weapons left by NATO forces in Afghanistan, which have reached the terrorists.

Symbol of peace in Kashmir: Attack on tourists terrorists

The increasing number of tourists in Kashmir was seen as a symbol of peace and normal status. The terrorist organizations understood this change well and they were furious with it. In 2006, the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also said that the influx of tourists indicates the restoration of normal status in Kashmir. Earlier, the terrorists had targeted tourists, such as four tourists were killed in an attack in Jakura area of ​​Srinagar in 2006.

Basaron: Area opening throughout the year for tourists

Basaron Park, which is open to tourists throughout the year, was allotted a contractor by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in 2024. After this, activities like Zipline, Zerbag and Food Court were started here around the park. Due to these facilities, Basaron had to create a major attraction for tourists, but the terrorists targeted it. Although Basaron is temporarily closed during heavy snow or Shri Amarnath Yatra, this time the terrorists attacked here.

Constant activism of terrorists and strategy of security forces in Kashmir

Although security forces had made efforts to increase security in the Kashmir Valley, the terrorists were successful in carrying out the conspiracy. The attack was a clear message of terrorists against efforts to restore peace in Kashmir. Now the security forces will have to be more vigilant to deal with such attacks, making their strategies more tough. There is a need to take more active steps from the security forces to restore peace in the Kashmir Valley, so that such attacks can be stopped in the future.