One year after Pahalgam, what has changed in Army strategy

📌 Summary:

• One year since Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025) killing 26 in Baisaran Valley; first-ever large-scale targeting of tourists in Kashmir — a systemic shock to security establishment

• Immediate reactive steps post-attack: (1) Security audit of 87 popular tourist areas across Kashmir valley (2) 49 tourist spots closed after audit; limited redeployment from hinterlands to vulnerable tourist areas (3) Modern weapons and technology procurement fast-tracked

• Systemic/proactive changes in security apparatus: (1) Improved intelligence gathering: expanded human intelligence networks by IB and RAW (2) Better inter-agency intelligence sharing among Army, CRPF, J&K Police, IB (3) Enhanced coordination across all security agencies (4) Better infiltration prevention along Line of Control (LoC) (5) Tech-based surveillance expanded in tourist areas

• Challenge: balance between security deployment and enabling tourism (Kashmir's economic lifeline)

• Broader implication: Pahalgam changed assumptions — no tourist area treated as inherently safe; proximity to populated civilian areas now treated as potential vulnerability

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 – Internal Security: J&K security architecture, counter-terrorism; civilian protection in conflict zones; GS2 – Governance: security-tourism balance

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Pahalgam attack: April 22, 2025; Baisaran Valley, South Kashmir; 26 killed

• Tourist spots audited: 87; closed: 49 after security review

• Key agencies involved: Army, CRPF, J&K Police, IB, RAW

🔑 Key Term: Hybrid Warfare – in Kashmir context, deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure (tourism) and non-combatants to create economic disruption and psychological fear, rather than direct military engagement; requires different security doctrine than conventional counter-insurgency