5 Reasons Pahalgam Became Terror Target Amid Tourist Surges
Attack aimed to crush Kashmir’s peace, economy, and growing visitor confidence.
New Delhi: The attack on Pahalgam was a deliberate component of a larger plot, not a random incident. Here are five reasons that define the timing and venue of the attack:
What Made Pahalgam the Target?
The Visit of PM Modi to Saudi Arabia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting Saudi Arabia on business when the tragedy took place. Analysts believe this was intentional, intended to create a false narrative in the Muslim world regarding alleged aggression in Kashmir.
Visit of the US Vice President to India: JD Vance, the US Vice President, was on an official tour to India. There are interpretations of this attack as signaling to the international community that Kashmir continues to be a disturbed area, akin to the Chattisinghpora massacre of the year 2000 during Bill Clinton’s visit.
Provocative Statements Made by The Army Chief of Pakistan: Concerning Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, some say his recent statements were inflammatory enough to encourage terrorism. Targeting civilians sends a disturbing message about the region’s instability.
Tourism Season: The attack was said to have been aimed at evoking fear among the visitors, particularly since Pahalgam and other parts of Kashmir are experiencing peak tourist season and is also meant to hamper normalcy in the region.
Exploiting Any Communal Consideration: Ongoing debates around the Waqf Act in India may have motivated the perpetrators to see the incident as a means to fuel communal tension and promote the jihadist agenda.
The Role of The Resistance Front
The TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam slaughter and is widely regarded as an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The group was founded in 2019 and is working with the Pakistan-based terrorist Sajjad Gul under Salim Rehmani and Sajid Jat. Funded by the ISI and military of Pakistan, this group has conducted many high-profile attacks against civilians, tourists, and non-locals intended to instill fear and advance a separatist agenda.
Though banned in India under the UAPA, the TRF continues to pose great threats to peace in the Valley.
Government Response
Prime Minister Modi later spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah, promising strict action against the culprits. Shah said that the people responsible for the heinous atrocity would not be spared, adding that the government had committed itself fully to fighting terrorism.
And investigations are continuing while security forces are carrying out massive operations in the area, The Pahalgam attack serves as yet another reminder of the fragile peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Also read: 5 Times Kashmir Bled: Timeline of Major Terror Attacks
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