200 local Kashmiris in custody; Pahalgam filled with tourists again

SRINAGAR: The Indian army is just a call away from retaliating to the terrorist attack in Baisaran valley in Pahalgam that shook the nation last week. Yesterday evening, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Anil Chauhan met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his official residence and briefed him on the preparations. Rajnath Singh then met the Prime Minister and briefed him on the details.

More than 200 people are in custody in Kashmir on suspicion of helping terrorists. Pakistan continued to violate the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control for the third consecutive day and shelled in the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors. The army retaliated strongly. The NIA has identified the route through which the terrorists reached Baisaran valley.

It was found that the terrorists reached Baisaran after travelling for more than 22 hours from Anantnag to Kokernag through labyrinthine forest terrains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday reiterated his commitment to ensure justice for the families of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Five days after a terrorist attack, tourism is slowly gathering pace in the valley. Hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists are reported to have visited Pahalgam town. On normal days, the number of tourists is between 5,000 and 7,000. But after the attack, the number of visitors had dropped significantly.

'We feel very safe; your country is very beautiful. We have no problem staying here. Kashmir is beautiful," Lijljana, a tourist from Croatia, told the media. She arrived with a group of 12.