Vande Bharat Express has been postponed, with officials citing escalating security concerns following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.
The attack, which resulted in the tragic loss of 26 lives, has prompted a comprehensive security review, leading to the delay of the train’s launch by up to three months. Indian Railways had initially planned to commence operations of the high-speed Vande Bharat train, designed to enhance connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir, on April 19. However, the inauguration was deferred due to adverse weather conditions. The subsequent Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow, has further complicated the situation. Intelligence agencies have identified the mastermind as Saifullah Kasuri, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and have linked the attack to the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group operating in the region.
In response to the heightened threat, security agencies have intensified measures across Jammu and Kashmir. A dedicated security grid comprising the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army has been established to safeguard railway infrastructure. High-value targets, such as the world’s highest arch bridge over the River Chenab and the cable-stayed bridge over Anji Khad, are under round-the-clock surveillance . The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 270-kilometre stretch that includes the Katra-Banihal corridor, remains incomplete. The Banihal-Katra segment, spanning 111 kilometres and traversing seismic zone 5, is considered the most challenging leg of the project. While trial runs of the Vande Bharat train were successfully conducted in January, the two specially designed trains are currently stationed at Jammu Railway Station, awaiting a secure environment for their deployment.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the Pahalgam attack and is focusing on dismantling local terror networks that support foreign militants. Authorities have identified several local aides who provided logistical support to the attackers . As the region grapples with these security challenges, the launch of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express remains on hold. Officials indicate that operations will resume once a conducive environment is restored, with a projected delay of up to three months. The situation underscores the complex interplay between infrastructure development and security considerations in conflict-sensitive areas.
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