No Breakthrough Yet In Hunt For Pahalgam Terrorists Nearly A Month After Attack

NIA and J&K Police continue combing operations as sketches of three suspects fail to yield conclusive leads; ₹20 lakh reward announced

May 18, 2025 – Nearly a month after the horrific terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, investigative agencies have yet to capture the three suspected terrorists believed responsible for the carnage.

Officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed that despite intensive ground operations and questioning of hundreds of locals, there has been no significant breakthrough in tracking down the assailants—two of whom are believed to be Pakistani nationals and one a local operative.

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Senior NIA officers continue to camp in the area as intelligence agencies try to piece together the attackers’ escape route.

“Multiple leads are being followed. The sketches are out and we are hopeful. It’s just a matter of time,” said a senior police officer involved in the probe.

Forest Manhunt Intensifies

Officials believe the terrorists fled into the dense southern Kashmir forests, taking advantage of melting snow in higher reaches. Combing operations have been stepped up in regions across south Kashmir and the Kishtwar belt of Jammu.

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“We’ve narrowed down our focus on areas where terrorist movements have been detected recently,” said Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GOC of Victor Force.

The police have also announced a ₹20 lakh reward for actionable information about the suspects.

Who Are the Suspects?

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Authorities have named the three attackers as:

• Adil Hussain Thoker – a local
• Hashim Musa alias Suleiman – Pakistani national
• Adil Bhai alias Talha Bhai – Pakistani national

All three are linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy, which has claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack that left 25 tourists and one local dead.

While the investigation remains tightly guarded, officers say significant forensic analysis and witness statements have been collected.

“The details of the case can’t be fully disclosed now as it may compromise the ongoing probe,” said an NIA official.

Tourism Under Threat

The Pahalgam attack has dealt a blow to local tourism, with tour operators and families of the victims among those questioned during the probe. The area, known for its scenic beauty, saw a sharp decline in tourist inflow following the violence.

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Pahalgam attack, NIA investigation, Kashmir terrorism, TRF, Lashkar-e-Taiba, India-Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor, South Kashmir forest combing, Baisaran terror attack, OperationSindoor,