More than a week after the deadly assault in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead, the four gunmen responsible are believed to still be hiding in the dense forests of south Kashmir, according to sources in the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Officials tracking the investigation say the attackers may have stocked up on supplies and are operating independently, which has allowed them to avoid capture despite an intense search operation led by security forces and local police. Their apparent self-sufficiency also suggests they are not relying on support from across the border — a significant factor given India’s assertion of Pakistan’s involvement in the April 22 attack.

The NIA, which has formally taken over the probe, is treating this as the most serious terror strike in India since the Pulwama bombing in 2019 that killed 40 soldiers.

Investigators believe the assailants had been in the Baisaran Valley — a popular tourist destination near Pahalgam — for at least two days before the attack. Interrogation of local sympathisers, often referred to as OGWs (Over Ground Workers), revealed that the group had initially surveyed multiple areas, including the Aru and Betaab valleys, but those locations had a strong security presence. Baisaran, comparatively less guarded, became their chosen site.

The terrorists are suspected to have used advanced communication tools that did not require SIM cards. Security experts say this equipment enabled secure short-range transmissions that were hard to detect or intercept. Sources also noted the use of at least three satellite phones, likely to conceal the group’s movements and location until the strike was executed.

The attack itself began at approximately 1:15 PM. According to intelligence briefings, three of the gunmen emerged from concealed spots around the valley and began firing at a group of tourists, while a fourth attacker remained hidden, possibly in a backup role. It's also feared that additional operatives could have been nearby.

Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture — survivors reported that the gunmen asked victims, all male, to recite verses from the Quran. Those unable to comply were executed at close range. Disturbing footage shared after the incident showed women drenched in the blood of loved ones, pleading for help. One militant reportedly mocked a grieving woman, telling her to “go tell Modi,” after killing her husband.

The victims included a man from Nepal, a naval officer on his honeymoon, a 70-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, and a young father from Karnataka who begged for his life before being shot.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the massacre and vowed strong retaliation, targeting not just those who carried out the attack but also those behind the scenes. He reiterated that terror would not be allowed to destabilize the country and warned Pakistan against harboring such networks.

India’s immediate diplomatic response included expelling Pakistani nationals and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a vital agreement that supplies Pakistan with the majority of its water resources. Pakistan retaliated by ejecting Indian diplomats and halting cooperation under the Simla Agreement. Both nations have since closed their airspace to each other’s aircraft.

On the military front, India is preparing a potential counterstrike. Prime Minister Modi chaired a high-level security meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and CDS General Anil Chauhan. Sources indicate that the armed forces have been authorized to carry out a suitable response.

Meanwhile, tensions at the Line of Control remain high. For the seventh consecutive night, Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement, opening fire in sectors such as Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor. Indian forces responded with equal force.

As the investigation continues, the manhunt for the perpetrators remains a top priority for national security agencies.