Intelligence agencies had issued alerts regarding the possibility of terror strikes targeting tourists, particularly those lodged in hotels situated on the outskirts of Srinagar near the Zabarwan foothills, just days before the deadly attack in Pahalgam, officials revealed on Saturday.
In response to these alerts, security presence was significantly reinforced in the identified areas. Senior police officials were stationed in Srinagar to lead combing operations across regions including Dachigam, Nishat, and surrounding localities.
These heightened patrols followed a previous attack on a construction site in Gangangir, Sonamarg, in October last year. That attack, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals including a doctor, occurred in an area located on the opposite side of the Zabarwan range, overlooking Srinagar, prompting renewed attention on these vulnerable zones.
Based on the intelligence inputs, security forces launched an intensive two-week operation, conducting thorough searches around Srinagar&rsquo;s outskirts.&nbsp;
However, despite the scale of the efforts, the operation did not produce actionable results and was concluded on April 22 &mdash; the same day terrorists launched an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, leaving 26 people dead.
Officials also disclosed that intelligence suggested terrorists intended to execute an attack during Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s visit to the Valley last month, when he was to inaugurate the first train service from Katra to Srinagar.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Definitely, Pakistan is not happy over the impending railway link that aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country,&rdquo; officials stated.
The visit, which was originally scheduled for April 19, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, with forecasts predicting strong winds in the Katra area.&nbsp;
Officials clarified that the change in schedule was solely due to weather-related concerns and added that a new date for the inauguration would be announced shortly.
According to the same officials, state and non-state actors across the border have consistently sought to prevent the international community from witnessing symbolic milestones such as the flagging off of the first train into the Valley.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The state and non-state actors sitting across the border never want the powerful visuals of flagging off the first train to get international attention and hence may have planned to overshadow the event with such barbaric killings,&rdquo; they said.
Detailing the Pahalgam attack, officials said preliminary findings indicated that two local terrorists had mingled with tourist groups. When the assault began, they directed the tourists into a food court complex, where two other assailants, reportedly Pakistani nationals, opened fire and killed 26 people.&nbsp;
Sources said the attackers likely aimed to instil fear among civilians and provoke retaliatory violence against Kashmiris in other regions of India.
Officials further noted that swift action by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah helped avert wider unrest. After speaking with senior leadership in New Delhi, directives were issued to state governments across the country to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri residents under their jurisdiction.
Authorities have also expressed concern over a shift in the nature of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing to the recovery of increasingly sophisticated weaponry.&nbsp;
Advanced arms such as M-series rifles, sniper rifles, and armour-piercing ammunition have been found at encounter sites, and are suspected to be leftover stockpiles from NATO forces previously stationed in Afghanistan.
Plane check in Sri Lanka&nbsp;
In a related development, Sri Lankan police conducted a search operation on a flight arriving in Colombo from Chennai on Saturday following an alert that a suspect linked to the Pahalgam massacre might be onboard.&nbsp;
A police spokesperson confirmed the search was carried out in coordination with local agencies after the Chennai Area Control Centre issued the tip-off concerning an individual wanted in India.
SriLankan Airlines released a statement confirming that the flight landed at Bandaranaike International Airport at 11:59 am and underwent a full security check.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The aircraft was thoroughly inspected and subsequently cleared for further operations,&rdquo; the airline said.
Indian authorities have identified five individuals involved in the Pahalgam killings, including three Pakistani nationals.&nbsp;
On April 24, Prime Minister Modi pledged decisive retaliation, declaring that the perpetrators had not only targeted defenceless tourists but dared to strike at the nation&rsquo;s core. &ldquo;The country&rsquo;s enemies targeted not merely unarmed tourists but dared to attack India&rsquo;s soul,&rdquo; he said.
During a high-level meeting with defence leaders on April 29, Modi stated that the Indian armed forces had &ldquo;complete operational freedom&rdquo; to determine the appropriate response. Government sources confirmed that the military has full authority to decide the timing, targets, and nature of its actions in response to the attack.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Intelligence alerts predicted a terror threat to tourists in Srinagar before the deadly Pahalgam attack

Pahalgam Massacre: Terror Threats Predicted Days Earlier

Intelligence alerts predicted a terror threat to tourists in Srinagar before the deadly Pahalgam attack

May 3, 2025 | 18:42 IST