Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) Behind Reasi Terror Attack

The terror attack in Reasi, Jammu, on Sunday evening, which resulted in the deaths of nine Hindu pilgrims and injuries to another 33, has been attributed to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)

The pilgrims were en route to Vaishno Devi when jihadists opened fire on their bus, causing the vehicle to fall into a gorge.

LeT’s front organization, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the attack, attempting to portray it as an act carried out by local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir rather than foreign operatives from Lahore.

According to high-level sources, the attack coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Modi 3.0 in Reasi. The perpetrators, approximately 12 jihadists, are believed to be operating in groups of two or three within the Rajouri-Poonch forests in Jammu. This group reportedly includes several Pakistani nationals, though the possibility of a cross-LoC tunnel has been denied by Indian security forces and the Indian Army.

The Poonch-Rajouri sector has experienced numerous encounters between the Indian Army and jihadists over the past five years, often resulting in significant casualties for Indian forces due to the element of surprise and the difficult terrain. The Modi government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, is taking the Reasi attack seriously, especially with the Amarnath Yatra set to begin on June 29.

Despite directives from PM Modi for the Indian Army to enhance operations in the Rajouri-Poonch sector, counter-insurgency efforts have been hindered by the challenging forested landscape. Reports of coordination issues among security forces in the 16 Corps sector are being addressed by the new Northern Army Commander, M.V. Suchindra Kumar.

India is expected to respond decisively to the Reasi attack. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces, and the Indian Army must collaborate effectively, utilizing actionable intelligence to neutralize this Pakistani group. The nation cannot afford further civilian or military casualties, despite the substantial deployment in the Jammu sector.