Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has dismissed suggestions of local involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, nearly all of them tourists. His remarks come just days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two locals for allegedly harbouring the three Pakistani terrorists believed to have carried out the massacre.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah reiterated, “There was no local involvement in the Pahalgam attack. The attackers were outsiders—Pakistanis. The two locals arrested may have assisted them under duress, possibly by providing food. Coercion cannot be ruled out. Let the investigation take its course.”
The NIA, in a statement issued on Sunday, exactly two months after the incident, confirmed that the arrested men—both residents of Pahalgam—confessed to aiding the terrorists and also confirmed their identities as Pakistani nationals. However, the attackers remain untraceable, with security agencies yet to make any breakthrough despite an intensive manhunt.
The chilling attack in the Baisaran Valley saw tourists targeted at close range, reportedly for their religious identity. Doctors reported most victims had bullet injuries in the upper body, indicating execution-style killings.
Though Omar Abdullah has often defended the Centre against Opposition allegations of a major security lapse, critics continue to hold the Union Government—responsible for law and order in the Union Territory—accountable for both the attack and the failure to capture the culprits.
Soon after the massacre, images of the alleged attackers began circulating, and a reward of ₹60 lakh was announced for any credible information. Yet, despite a massive operation across the forests of Pahalgam, the terrorists remain elusive.
The continued presence of suspected militants has now raised serious concerns over the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. Hundreds of companies of paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed along the route to ensure security.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, the pressure remains on both local and central agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice and secure the pilgrimage route.
