Pahalgam terror attack: Five militants identified as India links plot to Pakistan-based LeT network

3 Pak nationals, 2 Kashmiris among 5 terrorists identified

Investigators on Wednesday identified five terrorists, including three Pakistani nationals and two local operatives from Jammu and Kashmir, responsible for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. The attack, carried out on the scenic Baisaran meadow, is being described as the worst in nearly 20 years in the Kashmir Valley.

The identified Pakistani nationals are:

• Asif Fauji (alias Moosa)
• Suleman Shah (alias Yunus)
• Abu Talha (alias Asif)

They were accompanied by:

• Adil Guri, from Bijbehara, Anantnag (went to Pakistan in 2018)
• Ahsan, from Pulwama (also trained in Pakistan since 2018)

The Kashmiri operatives infiltrated into India recently, while the Pakistani terrorists had already been operating in J&K, with suspected involvement in earlier attacks, including in Poonch, officials said.

Survivor testimonies reveal religious targeting

Initial investigations based on eyewitness accounts reveal that the attackers spoke Urdu and demanded that civilians prove their religion by reciting Islamic prayers or showing physical markers such as circumcision. Tourists who failed to comply were executed at close range, said one officer.

“There is a clear plan to stoke communal tensions and disrupt tourism in Kashmir,” another official stated.

The Vancouver meadow, once known for its beauty and peaceful trekking routes, has become the epicenter of terror and communal targeting.

Sketches released, rewards announced

Authorities have released sketches of three suspects and announced a Rs.20 lakh reward for credible information. One of the prime suspects, Moosa, is also believed to have taken part in the Indian Air Force convoy attack in May 2024.

With no CCTV cameras in the Baisaran area, investigators are relying heavily on survivor accounts and forensic evidence. It is suspected that the attackers fled to higher altitudes in the Pir Panjal range post-attack.

NIA takes over probe, investigates Pakistani links

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team led by Inspector General Vijay Sakhare is currently stationed in Srinagar, heading the investigation. The federal agency has officially taken over the probe, with support from J&K Police.

The role of Saifullah Kasuri, a senior aide of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, is under scrutiny. A video shared by Kasuri earlier this year claimed Kashmir would become the “land of the pure” by February 2026, and threatened increased terror attacks by Mujahideen.

Evidence points to LeT involvement despite the TRF claim

While the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of LeT, has claimed responsibility for the attack, intelligence officers believe this was a cover to conceal Pakistan’s direct involvement. The sophistication, weapons used, and real-time intelligence during the ambush all point to LeT’s operational capabilities.

“This was a highly coordinated, well-planned assault—something only LeT could pull off,” a senior official said.

Infiltration worsens: 65 foreign terrorists active in J&K

Security agencies estimate that at least 65 foreign terrorists from LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) are currently active in Jammu & Kashmir. Of the 59 foreign terrorists recorded in March 2025, 35 were LeT, 21 from JeM, and 3 from HM, all Pakistani nationals.

“Combating the infiltration of small, highly trained groups has become a pressing challenge,” said a counter-terror official.

India ramps up border security and surveillance

The Union Home Ministry has launched 26 new technology-based initiatives, including anti-drone systems, tunnel detection, and electronic surveillance, to stop infiltrators at the Line of Control (LoC).

Home Minister Amit Shah, during an April 7 visit to a Jammu border outpost, announced that electronic surveillance models will soon cover India’s entire western frontier.

In recent months:

• Two BSF battalions were moved to Jammu
• COBRA unit of the CRPF was cleared for deployment
• NIA has opened a probe into local networks aiding infiltrators

NIA targets the overground worker network

In October 2024, the NIA filed a case against those providing logistical support to foreign terrorists. Raids were conducted in border villages last month targeting suspected overground workers (OGWs).

As India continues to confront Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, the Pahalgam attack may become a defining moment in Kashmir’s counter-terror strategy, with a renewed focus on intelligence coordination, border control, and political accountability.

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