CRPF Director General GP Singh has requested a formal explanation from the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 116 Battalion, who was the first to reach the site of the Pahalgam terror attack. The inquiry comes despite the fact that the force had been widely commended for its swift response to the incident on April 22, raising questions about the reasons behind the DG’s request.
Explanation Sought for Rapid Response
The request for clarification was made during a virtual meeting in April, which took place shortly after the Pahalgam attack. Singh directed Inspector General Mitesh Jain to seek an explanation from the CO. Sources confirmed that the DG, after addressing a group of officers, raised concerns about certain aspects of the incident and requested a formal explanation from the CO. Despite the CRPF’s widely praised reaction on the day of the attack, Singh wanted more clarity regarding the incident.
According to a senior official, the move took many by surprise, as the CO had been the first to reach the scene and had taken immediate steps to rescue the victims. The CO, who attended the meeting, reportedly attempted to explain his position but struggled to do so during the video conference. Some senior officers tried to highlight the positive actions taken by the CO, but the DG insisted on obtaining an official explanation. One officer remarked that if the DG had concerns, it would have been more appropriate to request an explanation privately instead of in front of dozens of officers, which might have sent the wrong message.
Efforts at Rescue Amidst Chaos
The Quick Action Team (QAT), which was the first to be alerted, reached the Baisaran Valley within 40–45 minutes. The QAT had been notified by a pony rider who spotted several tourists, including three individuals with gunshot wounds. The CO, after noticing the pony riders and tourists descending rapidly from the higher altitudes, immediately took action. He stopped the individuals and learned of the situation before alerting the QAT team.
Despite the challenging terrain, a team of around two dozen commandos successfully reached the site. They proceeded cautiously, expecting potential terrorist fire or grenade attacks. The CO also instructed a female officer to assist the injured women and children, while arrangements were made for medical care at the camp.
By the time the CRPF team arrived, they found several injured, including three individuals with bullet wounds. Many other tourists, including women and children, were hiding nearby. The team successfully rescued the injured and began a preliminary search for the attackers.
