Pahalgam Terror Attack: Five Terrorists Identified
Authorities have identified five terrorists responsible for Tuesday’s brutal killing of 26 tourists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir. This is one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region in nearly two decades.
According to IANS sources, three of the attackers are Pakistani nationals — Asif Fauji (also known as Moosa), Suleman Shah (Yunus), and Abu Talha (Asif). The other two are believed to be local militants: Adil Guri from Bijbehara in Anantnag and Ahsan from Pulwama.
Guri and Ahsan are said to have received training in Pakistan back in 2018 and recently returned to the Kashmir Valley. Fauji and Shah have reportedly been active in Jammu and Kashmir for a while and are suspected of being involved in earlier attacks, including in Poonch.
Initial findings from the investigation, based on survivor accounts, suggest the terrorists forced the victims to prove they were Muslim by reciting Islamic prayers or showing physical signs like circumcision.
Police have released sketches of three of the suspects and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information that leads to their arrest.
Since there were no CCTV cameras near the site of the attack in Baisaran meadow, investigators are relying heavily on eyewitnesses. It’s believed the terrorists escaped into the higher areas of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), led by Inspector General Vijay Sakhare, is now in charge of the probe, working alongside Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Authorities are also looking into the possible role of Saifullah Kasuri, a close aide of Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed. In a video posted on social media in February, Kasuri had claimed that “Kashmir will become the ‘land of the pure’ by February 2, 2026,” and warned of increased militant activity.
Highlights:
Five terrorists identified, including three Pakistani nationals and two local militants.
26 tourists killed in one of the worst attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in 20 years.
Attackers forced victims to prove their religion before killing them.
Police released sketches and announced a Rs 20 lakh reward for information.
NIA has taken over the investigation; suspects believed to have fled to Pir Panjal range.
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