New Delhi: A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the site of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday to assist the Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Police in investigating what is regarded as the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in nearly two decades.
The NIA team, led by a Deputy Inspector General, arrived at Baisaran just a day after terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the scenic meadow, located approximately five kilometers from Pahalgam town in Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
According to official sources, “NIA team members will support the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation.” The agency’s involvement is crucial as the attack resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists and injuries to more than three dozen others at the Baisaran meadow, which is a popular tourist destination.
The NIA’s role highlights the investigation’s significance, especially with the Pakistan-based terrorist organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy group, the Resistance Front (TRF), claiming responsibility for the attack. The NIA team is expected to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the attack site, gather forensic evidence, and assist in identifying those responsible for the violence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is anticipated to hand over the case to the Central anti-terror agency shortly. In the wake of the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who reached Srinagar just hours after the incident, pledged strict action, asserting that the perpetrators “will not be spared.”
“With a heavy heart, I paid my last respects to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this heinous attack will not go unpunished,” Shah expressed in a post on ‘X’.
Security measures have been heightened across the region, and a shutdown has been declared in Kashmir to mourn the victims and denounce the violence. Officials reported that gunfire was heard in the area, prompting a rapid response from security forces.
The attack occurred around 3 PM when terrorists descended from the mountains in the Baisaran valley and began shooting at the tourists, who often visit the location, renowned as ‘mini Switzerland’ for its expansive green meadows. Authorities deployed a helicopter for the evacuation of injured individuals.
This incident comes as Kashmir sees a notable increase in tourist arrivals following years of unrest, with the 38-day Amarnath Yatra scheduled to start on July 3.