Police Chief Camped in Kashmir Valley on Getting Intel about Possible Tourist Attack: Report
The recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir Valley, which left several tourists dead, has sent shockwaves across the country. The attack has raised questions about the intelligence network and preparedness of the security forces to prevent such incidents. According to a report by Indian Express, the Director General of Police (DGP) and other police personnel camped in the Kashmir Valley just days before the attack, after receiving intelligence inputs about a possible attack on tourists in Srinagar.
The report, which cites a top official, reveals that the intelligence agencies had received specific information about a potential attack on a hotel on the outskirts of Srinagar. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the police chief and his team had set up camp in the Valley to monitor the situation and prepare for any eventuality.
“It was a specific input that a hotel on the outskirts of Srinagar was going to be targeted,” the official said. “They thought it’d be a hotel on the outskirts of Srinagar.” The official’s statement suggests that the intelligence agencies had received credible information about a planned attack, which was specific enough to pinpoint a particular location.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place on August 8, resulted in the deaths of at least 10 tourists, including two women and a child. The attackers, who were reportedly armed with guns and grenades, targeted the tourists at a campsite in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of tourists in the region. The Kashmir Valley has been facing unrest and violence for several years, with terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed carrying out attacks on security forces and civilians. The recent attack on tourists has highlighted the need for increased security measures to protect visitors to the region.
The fact that the police chief and his team were camped in the Valley just days before the attack suggests that the security forces were taking the intelligence inputs seriously and were preparing for a potential attack. However, the attack still occurred, raising questions about the effectiveness of the intelligence network and the preparedness of the security forces.
The Indian Express report also highlights the challenges faced by the security forces in Kashmir in terms of gathering and analyzing intelligence. The official, who spoke to the newspaper, stated that the intelligence agencies were working on a “very thin margin” and that there was a need for better resources and infrastructure to gather and analyze intelligence.
The recent attack has also raised questions about the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the need for better coordination between intelligence agencies and the security forces. The official stated that social media was being used to spread false information and that it was challenging to verify the authenticity of intelligence inputs.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched an investigation into the incident and have arrested several suspects. The police have also released CCTV footage of the attackers, which shows them moving towards the campsite before the attack.
The Pahalgam attack is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the security forces in Kashmir in terms of gathering and analyzing intelligence, as well as the need for better coordination between intelligence agencies and the security forces. The attack also highlights the need for increased security measures to protect tourists and civilians in the region.
