New details about the Pahalgam terrorist attack have emerged, with the woman who took the now-famous photo of the terrorist coming forward to share her experience. Ekta Tiwari, a resident of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, has provided a chilling account of her interaction with the terrorists just before the attack unfolded.

Suspicious Encounter with the Terrorists

Ekta, who was part of a group of 20 people visiting Jammu and Kashmir, recalled an unsettling encounter on April 20, when her group reached Pahalgam. As they were on their way to Baisaran, a popular tourist spot, they felt something was amiss. Ekta described how, while climbing on mules, two men approached them, asking unusual questions. "They asked me my name, how many people were in our group, and which religion we followed—Hindu or Muslim," Ekta explained.

What stood out, according to Ekta, was their insistence on asking her to read the Quran and their inquiry about why she was wearing Rudraksha beads. When Ekta’s brother explained he wore Rudraksha because he liked it, the situation escalated into a confrontation. The group, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, decided to leave the area and return, with the help of other mule drivers.

The 'Plan-A Failed' Statement

Ekta’s suspicions grew stronger after the two men received a phone call. “One of them said, 'Plan-A failed,'” Ekta recalled. She also overheard the men discussing sending 35 guns to the valley. This conversation, which she described as being in coded language, raised significant alarm bells. Ekta mentioned that she took a photo of the man who was talking about the 35 guns, and after seeing the released sketches of the terrorists, she was able to identify him.

The Tiwari Family's Growing Concerns

Ekta’s husband, Prashant Tiwari, also shared his perspective on the situation. He said, “The biggest reason for suspecting them was that they kept asking us to read the Quran, which was strange. They were also probing for our address, and the mention of sending guns deepened our suspicion.” He further confirmed that the group had decided to return after this unsettling exchange, which ultimately may have saved their lives.

Government Response and Investigation

Following the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other security agencies have launched a thorough investigation. Sketches of the three terrorists involved in the attack have been released, and a reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for any information leading to their capture.

The incident has raised serious questions about the security lapses in the region, which were discussed during an all-party meeting in Parliament. It was revealed that multiple security agencies are working together to piece together the events leading up to the attack, with a focus on preventing similar incidents in the future.

A Shocking Revelation

The revelation that the terrorists had planned their attack, with "Plan-A" reportedly failing, underscores the pre-meditated nature of the attack. This new information has added an unsettling layer to the investigation, raising questions about the level of coordination and the involvement of other terrorist groups in the region.