New Delhi, May 2 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply rebuked a petitioner seeking judicial probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that such actions demoralise security forces at a "crucial hour" when citizens are united against terrorism. A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant allowed petitioner Hatesh Kumar Sahu to withdraw his plea after criticising him for acting "irresponsibly" by filing a petition seeking investigation by a retired Supreme Court or high court judge. "This is the crucial hour when each and every citizen of the country has joined hands to fight terrorism. Don't demoralise our forces by filing such petitions," the bench, also comprising justice N Kotiswar Singh, told Sahu, who is a lawyer and appeared in person. The April 22 attack at Baisaran, a meadow in Pahalgam area in south Kashmir's Anantnag district that is known as "mini Switzerland," left 26 people dead and 15 injured when suspected militants opened fire on tourists. The location is accessible only by foot or ponies. Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, the Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the attack - though in later reports, it attempted to distance itself from it. When Sahu claimed his petition was motivated by concern for students studying in the state, the court noted his plea made no mention of student safety. The petition had instead sought orders against security forces to ensure tourist protection and directions to the Press Council of India for responsible coverage of the incident. "Since when have retired Supreme Court and high court judges become experts in investigating cases," the bench questioned. "Judges decide disputes before them. Since when have they gained the expertise to investigate?" Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that such petitions should not go even before high courts. The court permitted Sahu to withdraw his petition, allowing him to approach the high court concerned only regarding student safety and security. The court noted that another petition filed by Ahmed Tarek Butt was listed but not taken up as nobody appeared for it. The Pahalgam attack, the worst attack on civilians in the Valley in decades, was strongly condemned by the Supreme Court and bar associations across the country. A day after the incident, the full court of the top court observed two minutes of silence for the victims and adopted a resolution. The resolution, endorsed by all Supreme Court judges, described the attack as a "diabolical act of mindless violence" that "shaken the conscience of all" and condemned the "cowardly" assault on tourists "who were merely enjoying the natural beauty of the Crown Jewel of India, i.e. Kashmir." Calling it "an affront to the values of humanity and the sanctity of life," the full court paid tribute to the victims and expressed condolences to the bereaved families, affirming that "the nation stands with the victims and their families in this hour of indescribable grief."...