New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir, who witnessed the massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, have seen an increase in infiltration by the international border, with 40-50 attempts that were made for 6-8 months alone, civil servants said.
There are more than 120 terrorists active in the hinterland in the field of the Union, of whom more than 110 come from Pakistan, said the officials, adding that the number of locals is only 5 and 10. Of the more than 120 terrorists, more than 70 are considered active in the Kashmir -Valley of the Pir.
The Resistance Front, a fence of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has set the responsibility for Tuesday's fatal attack.
Local recruitments have fallen in Jammu and Kashmir, taken from 121 in 2022 to 21 in 2023 and only 6 in 2024.
Last year, 10 infiltration ribs were thwarted on the line of control and 25 terrorists were killed. Such an infiltration body was also thwarted on Wednesday, with two terrorists being shot by security forces along the line of control in Baramulla.
“Two terrorists were killed in the current anti-infiltration operation in the URI sector,” said civil servants.
'Will not be saved'
The attack of Tuesday, described by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as “much larger than everything we have seen on civilians in recent years” has fueled a manhunt for the terrorists, which is believed to be at least four, who killed 26 people – including a navy officer and then flee.
The terrorists surrounded people, mostly tourists, in the picturesque meadow of Baisaran on Tuesday afternoon and shot 26 after they reported their identity. They also left a message with the wife of one of the tourists who was murdered and responded when they also asked to be shot: “Nahin Maarenge. Tum Modi Ko Jaae Bolo” (I will not kill you. Go and tell the modi).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who demolished his visit to Saudi Arabia and landed in Delhi on Wednesday, promised to bring the terrorists behind the cowardly attack to court.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolances to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the wounded is recovering at the earliest. All possible help is offered to the affected,” wrote PM Modi on X.
“Those behind this horrible act will be brought to court … they will not be saved! Their bad agenda will never succeed. Our determination to combat terrorism is unwavering and it will become even stronger,” he emphasized.
