Deadliest terror strike in Kashmir in nearly 20 years traced to Pakistan-backed LeT operatives; ₹20 lakh bounty placed on suspects
April 24, 2025 | In the aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 civilians dead, investigators have identified five terrorists, including three Pakistani nationals and two Kashmiris trained in Pakistan. This is being termed as the worst attack in the region in nearly two decades.
Also Read: India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty With Pakistan Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
🔍 Identified Terrorists
- Pakistani Nationals:
- Asif Fauji (codename Moosa)
- Suleman Shah (codename Yunus)
- Abu Talha (codename Asif)
- Kashmiri Operatives:
- Adil Guri (from Bijbehara, trained in Pakistan since 2018)
- Ahsan (from Pulwama, also trained in Pakistan since 2018)
These operatives recently infiltrated back into India and were allegedly aided by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders operating across the border.
🧾 Attack Details
According to survivors’ accounts:
- The terrorists spoke in Urdu, selectively targeted men, and forced them to prove their religion via Islamic prayers or circumcision.
- Those who couldn’t comply were executed at point-blank range.
- One attacker, “Moosa”, is also linked to the May 2024 IAF convoy attack in Poonch.
🏞️ No CCTV, Difficult Terrain
- The attack occurred in the Baisaran meadow, which lacks CCTV surveillance.
- Investigators believe the terrorists fled to the Pir Panjal range after the killings.
- ₹20 lakh reward has been announced for credible tips leading to their capture.
🚨 NIA Leads Probe
- A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) led by IG Vijay Sakhare has taken over the case.
- Early findings suggest technical evidence and planning trace back to Pakistan.
📽️ LeT Commander’s Video Surfaces
- A chilling February 2 video of LeT deputy Saifullah Kasuri is under scrutiny.
- He proclaimed Kashmir would become a “land of the pure” by February 2026 and hinted at intensified attacks.
🛡️ Officials Speak
A senior intelligence officer said:
“This wasn’t a random act. The attackers had access to real-time intelligence, advanced weapons, and pre-planned reconnaissance of the area.”
Another officer noted:
“It was a calculated attempt to disrupt peace and stoke communal unrest at a time when Kashmir was witnessing a tourism revival.”
🏷️ Tags:
Pahalgam terror attack, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistan terror links, Jammu Kashmir news, NIA probe, Indian security, Pir Panjal, Indus Waters Treaty, terrorism in India