Srinagar, April 19 (IANS). Ahead of the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, security has been tightened in the Kashmir Valley, especially at tourist places.
On April 22 last year, Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists had killed 26 innocent people in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam.
According to intelligence sources, all security forces have been instructed to maintain special vigil around April 22, especially at tourist places, to prevent any suspicious activity.
Kashmir Zone IGP VK Birdi reviewed the security arrangements by holding a meeting with the police and other security agencies at the Police Control Room in Srinagar.
Meetings were held at the ground level to make concrete security plans and senior officials took stock of these preparations.
After this terrorist attack, tension between India and Pakistan had increased considerably. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given free rein to the army to respond to the attack.
Under ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian Army attacked terrorist targets inside Pakistan without crossing the border. These attacks were carried out on targets located in Muridke, Bahawalpur, near Lahore, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
After this, the situation worsened when the Pakistan Army launched a counterattack.
India retaliated by destroying 18 Pakistani defense positions, including some airfields.
The administration had closed 50 tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent another attack like Pahalgam, which were later gradually opened.
Tourism in Kashmir was growing rapidly before the attack, but this incident dealt a major blow to the tourism industry and affected the livelihood of thousands of people associated with it.
To restore the confidence of tourists, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a cabinet meeting in Pahalgam and himself took a bicycle trip to give the message that the place is safe.
Many steps have been taken for the safety of tourists. These include police verification of service providers and shopkeepers, and QR code based identification system, allowing tourists to easily check their details.
Today the number of tourists is increasing again in Pahalgam and the incident of April 22 has now become a sad memory, which should not be repeated.
The attack was strongly condemned by the local people and tourists have also expressed confidence in their cooperation and goodwill.
The true tribute to those killed in this attack was not only seen in the form of elimination of terrorists, but also in the form of an atmosphere of mourning and sadness in the entire Kashmir.
–IANS
AMT/DKP