Not a card, but a code: Terror-hit Pahalgam’s identity identified through QR code

Pahalgam: “Scan me” is the new phrase of trust in a region that still bears the scars of the horrific massacre a year ago.Local police have launched a sweeping initiative to introduce a QR code-based identification system for thousands of staff working in the scenic mountain town. Pony trainers, taxi drivers and the nomadic communities that ply the surrounding hills are digitally tagged, each emitting a unique QR code that, when scanned via apps like Google Lens, reveals detailed personal information including name, address, phone number, Aadhaar details, PIN and occupation.The initiative comes in the shadow of the Pahalgam attack by Pakistani terrorists, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including a pony caretaker who tried to stop the carnage. Amid the shocking aftermath, authorities turned to technology to bolster security and monitor people moving in the area.Local police said it was one of the largest identification operations in the country. The goal is to bring nearly 25,000 people into a single, scannable system that allows for instant verification. Around 7,000 QR codes have been issued in Pahalgam.But the process is far from automatic. According to local police, applicants must first submit a verification form, and police then conduct a thorough background check. Even a minor criminal record, or an FIR for any minor crime, may disqualify an individual from receiving a code. Once cleared, the QR code identity will be generated with the technical assistance of the local “Khidmat” service center.In Pahalgam, the authorities have identified nearly 17-18 weak spots and popular tourist hotspots where the new QR code system is being strictly implemented. The initiative is designed to prevent unauthorized access and improve visitor security. Officials say verification is not limited to security personnel; even tourists can scan codes to confirm their identity.A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the plan was simply to improve visitor safety, a priority that had been intensified after last year’s tragedy. “Earlier, we issued physical ID cards to pony management staff. With QR codes, verification is instant and more reliable,” the official said. Most high-traffic tourist attractions that are now open have strict safety measures in place.The introduction of the QR code follows an extensive revalidation of all pony guides and other locals in Pahalgam after the attacks last year. The action was based on initial statements and videos posted on social media and other platforms by tourists visiting Baisaran on the day of the attack about the “suspicious characters” of some locals.At the time, about 20 pony handlers and local guides from Baisaran were questioned by police and later by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Some have been detained for extended periods of time during investigations by the National Intelligence Service.Abdul Wahid Wani, president of the local pony owners’ union in Pahalgam, said the post-attack verification process exposed flaws in the earlier system, prompting the government to adopt QR code-based identification. “We have no objection. Everyone is cooperating with the police. It will ultimately help those who make a living from tourism,” he said.Pahalgam has around 3,500 registered pony service providers, including guides and horse owners from nine nearby villages. In addition, there are a host of other activities, including vendors selling food, warm clothing such as shawls, and dry fruits, as well as photographers and freelance tour guides, all dependent on the daily tourist footfall. Most people arrive in the valley early each morning and leave with the last group of tourists.