Sketches Released of Suspects in Pahalgam Terror Attack That Killed 26
Srinagar, 23rd April 2025: Security agencies on Wednesday released sketches and photographs of the suspected terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians and injured several others on Tuesday, April 22. The assault targeted tourists at the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
The suspects have been identified as Asif Fuji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, allegedly affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to officials, the gunmen, dressed in camouflage and traditional attire, emerged from dense pine forests and opened indiscriminate fire using AK-47 rifles and advanced equipment.
Pakistani Hand Suspected
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack was planned and executed with cross-border support. Intelligence inputs have identified Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a top LeT commander based in Pakistan, as the key orchestrator of the ambush. Officials believe the group infiltrated the Valley days before the strike.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least two attackers spoke in Pashto, hinting at their foreign origin, while two others were identified as local recruits from Bijbhera and Tral. Intelligence sources confirmed that the attackers had conducted reconnaissance of the area, allegedly aided by local collaborators.
Counter-Terror Operation Launched
A massive counter-terror operation is underway. Helicopters have been deployed to scan the rugged terrain as forces track the fleeing suspects believed to have escaped through forest cover. Authorities have also traced the group’s digital footprint to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, further pointing to cross-border involvement.
The nature of the attack—including its scale, precision, and use of military-grade equipment—indicates planning by trained handlers rather than local militants acting alone.
Survivors Recall Horror
Survivor testimonies and forensic reports reveal that the terrorists were armed with advanced communication gear, body-mounted cameras, and had stockpiled dry fruits and medical kits—indicating preparation for a prolonged operation. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as tourists fled for cover amidst the hail of bullets.
The attack has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of tourists in Kashmir, prompting heightened security across the region.
