Indian Railways' highly anticipated Vande Bharat train for the Kashmir Valley may face further delays again. The railways plan to run a semi-high-speed train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. Once operational, this orange and grey beauty will boost travel and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Initially, the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat launch was set for 19 April, but unfavorable weather in the Union Territory (UT) pushed the plan back. Now that a wave of terror jolted India on 22 April fear ripples across Kashmir, causing a major setback to the launch.
Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 killed, NSG steps up rail security
Terror has once again struck our very dear Kashmir. On Tuesday, gunmen opened fire at a bustling tourist hub near Pahalgam, killing 26 people, most of them visitors from other Indian states. Authorities say this is the deadliest terror attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama blast.
The victims included two foreign nationals—one from the UAE and another from Nepal—as well as two locals. It is reported that tourists from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were among the dead. Several others, including one from Gujarat, three from Tamil Nadu, and two more from Maharashtra, were injured and are receiving treatment.
In response, security measures have been ramped up, especially along key travel routes. Earlier this week, elite National Security Guard (NSG) commandos carried out a Train Intervention Exercise aboard the Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express. The anti-terror drill was designed to simulate and prevent a possible attack on the semi-high-speed train, which is expected to boost tourism in the region once launched.
The mock exercise, held at Katra railway station, was a joint operation involving the NSG, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Officials say it aimed to sharpen coordination and preparedness between central and local forces amid rising security concerns.
As investigations continue, the country waits for answers—and justice.