New Delhi: Two weeks after the terror attack in Baisaran Valley that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, Jammu and Kashmir Police have transferred the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Pahalgam police station—the first and only administrative action taken so far.
Inspector Reyaz Ahmad was transferred from Pahalgam police station and attached to the district police line. Inspector Peer Gulzar Ahmad has been appointed the next SHO of Pahalgam.
The administrative order was passed by Anantnag Senior Superintendent of Police Amritpal Singh Monday.
“Furthermore, the officer figuring at S.No 04 (Reyaz Ahmad) above is further attached with ASP Camp Aishmugam for further duties,” SSP Singh in his order.
Two senior police officers, requesting anonymity, called the transfer of six personnel in Anantnag a “routine” procedure. “A new SSP has taken charge, and he has all the rights and discretion to appoint a fresh team to ensure smooth policing in the district,” a senior police officer said to ThePrint.
The 22 April attack, believed to have been carried out by a group of terrorists—including at least two foreign nationals and one local—sent shockwaves across the country.
Located around 5 km from the all-weather road in Pahalgam, security forces took at least an hour to reach the valley—by which time the terrorists had already escaped into the surrounding dense forests.
While security forces have been monitoring the entire South Kashmir region for any trace of the terrorists and their Over Ground Workers (OGWs), there have been no significant breakthroughs so far.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has been at the site since day one, formally took over the investigation on 27 April. They have completed recording statements from the families of the victims and questioned locals, gathering eyewitness accounts in search of any potential breakthroughs.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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