The terrorist attack in Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, which ended in 26 people dying, has brought a long-active terror group operating in Jammu and Kashmir to the forefront. This attack is one of the worst since Article 370 was removed in 2019 and has led to strong action from the Indian government against Pakistan. Authorities accuse Pakistan of sheltering the terrorists behind this attack.
The attack was carried out by a group connected to the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Most of the attackers were foreign terrorists, supported by local militants and helpers from the Kashmir Valley. The group was reportedly working under the orders of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and head of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
According to sources, this group has been active in Kashmir for a long time. They are suspected of carrying out several deadly attacks in Sonamarg, Boota Pathri, and Ganderbal. In October 2024, four people, including two Indian Army soldiers, were killed in a terror strike at Boota Pathri.
The same month, six workers and a doctor were killed in Sonamarg during an attack on a tunnel construction site. One of the main accused in the Pahalgam attack, Hashim Musa, is believed to have been involved in the Sonamarg killings as well.
Later, in December 2024, Junaid Ahmed Bhatt, a top Lashkar terrorist from Kulgam, was killed by security forces in Dachigam. After that encounter, other group members escaped and hid in the nearby forests. These terrorists often disappear into forest hideouts after an attack and wait for new instructions from their leaders in Pakistan.
Links to Lashkar Leaders
The group is believed to be directly controlled by Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and his deputy Saifullah, both based in Pakistan. Indian intelligence agencies say the group receives not only ideas but also weapons, training, and instructions from Pakistan’s army and its intelligence agency, ISI.
While most of the group members are foreign terrorists, they also have support from local Kashmiris who help them with shelter, supplies, and information.
Details of the Pahalgam Attack
In the Pahalgam incident, terrorists attacked three different spots in the Baisaran valley. At one location, five people were killed together. At another, two were shot in an open field. The rest were attacked near a fence around the valley. Some survivors said the attackers even spoke to them before suddenly opening fire. People who managed to jump over the fence and run away were spared.
Police have released sketches of three suspects. Two are Pakistanis—Hashim Musa (also known as Suleman) and Ali Bhai (also called Talha). The third, Abdul Hussain Thokar, is from Anantnag in Kashmir. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for anyone who provides helpful information about them.
On Thursday, security forces also found a hideout used by the group in a nearby forest.
Also Read: 'We trained terrorists for 30 yrs': Admits Pak Def Min Asif
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