Raids carried out in J&K; fresh verification of non-locals begins

The Army and J&K Police officials have informed that there were reports of "suspicious movements" in Pahalgam and Gulmarg by late March and early April, just weeks before the April 22 attack in Baisaran Valley that killed 25 tourists and a local ponywallah.

Gulmarg is a famous ski resort, around 50 km from Srinagar, close to Line of Control in Baramulla district. Pahalgam, around 90 km from Srinagar, where the attack took place, falls in Anantnag district.

A senior Army official told ET there were reports that "some suspicious individuals had visited some of the hotels in Pahalgam... (we) were developing the lead as there was no specific input about attacks on tourists".

A local in Ashmuqam area of Pahalgam also said "over a week before the attack, the forces were looking for two suspicious individuals who they said were moving in the area". However, he said the armed forces had no specific information about their identity. "They just said the duo was carrying bags," the local person added.

"We had several inputs regarding the presence of infiltrators in Pahalgam general area but developing these specific inputs is very difficult," said another Army official. The Army officials informed that infiltrators in the Pir Panjal mountains of southern Kashmir were using multiple apps for navigation and communication 'which can store data online and later put to use offline as well'.

A police official said after the winters, in late March there were reports of "suspicious movement in Gulmarg". He said the forces had deployed at least two 'anti-Fidayeen Squads' both at Tangmarg and Gulmarg as well. "This was a precautionary measure as Gulmarg had come into limelight due to the fashion show in winters," said a senior police official.

The police is continuing its raids and questioning of suspects across the Kashmir Valley. A senior police official informed that they have started fresh verification of non-locals, including labourers, students and employees present in Kashmir. The authorities have also directed Pakistani nationals staying in the Valley on valid visas to leave immediately as per the Centre's directions.

The police and Army have also launched multiple search operations in the Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley of Jammu which neighbours Pahalgam. The two districts are divided by the Pir Panjal mountains.