Security and intelligence agencies have released sketches of the suspected terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. The individuals have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. According to intelligence sources, the mastermind behind the attack is Saifullah Khalid, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who is currently based in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached Pahalgam to assist in the investigation.
Initial investigations have revealed that five terrorists were involved in the attack — two locals and three Pakistani nationals. The police have detained hundreds of people for questioning as part of their probe.
The attack has been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has denied any involvement, stating, “We have no hand in this attack.”
A high-level Cabinet Committee meeting on security is currently underway at the Prime Minister’s residence. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval are present.
The terrorist attack, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Pahalgam, has claimed the lives of 27 people and injured over 20 others. The attack took place at a time when a large number of tourists were present in the Baisaran Valley. The deceased include tourists from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Additionally, one tourist each from Nepal and the UAE and two local residents also lost their lives.
This marks the deadliest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred. That attack was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Viral Images of Suspected Terrorists Circulate on Social Media
Photos purportedly showing four of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have gone viral on social media. However, the Army and security agencies have not officially released any images. Only sketches of the suspects, created with the help of eyewitness accounts, have been made public.
Among the four individuals in the viral photo, one is reported to be a Pakistani terrorist affiliated with the FT Moosa cadre of The Resistance Front.
Sketches of Three Suspected Terrorists Released
Based on eyewitness input, agencies have released sketches of three suspects: Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. However, it remains unclear which sketch corresponds to which individual.
Saifullah Khalid – The Alleged Mastermind
According to intelligence sources, the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack is Saifullah Khalid, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Operating out of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), his current location is believed to be Rawalakot. Notably, Saifullah had issued a warning about such an attack a month ago. A video from 2019 featuring Saifullah had also surfaced, in which he emphasized that “the Kashmir issue must not be allowed to cool down.
