Fresh revelations from the ongoing investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack indicate that the terrorists responsible for the April 22 massacre, which left 26 people dead, undertook an arduous 20 to 22-hour trek through rugged terrain from the Kokernag forests to the picturesque Baisaran valley to execute their deadly mission.
Sources revealed that during the attack, the assailants snatched two mobile phones — one from a local resident and another from a tourist. A total of four terrorists were involved in the carnage: three Pakistani nationals and one local militant, identified as Adil Thokar.
Thokar, according to officials, had initially joined the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in 2018 after becoming radicalised. He later crossed over to Pakistan legally using valid travel documents, where he received extensive training with the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
After returning to Kashmir in 2024, he played a crucial role in supporting Pakistani terrorists by facilitating their movement and providing logistical assistance across the difficult mountainous terrain.
Forensic investigations have confirmed that AK-47 and M4 assault rifles were used during the attack, with the recovery of shell casings providing important forensic evidence to investigators.
According to eyewitness accounts, two of the terrorists emerged from behind a row of shops, ordering the victims to recite the Kalma before shooting four individuals dead at close range. This brutal act triggered chaos, as terrified tourists fled in every direction. Simultaneously, the other two terrorists opened fire from near the zipline area, further escalating the bloodshed.
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In a significant breakthrough, a local photographer who witnessed the attack while hiding atop a tree managed to record crucial video footage of the incident. His recordings have become key evidence for investigators seeking to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the massacre.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally initiated the process to take over the case, following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Senior NIA officials and teams have been stationed at the attack site since Wednesday, intensifying their search for evidence.
The NIA, supported by forensic experts, is meticulously questioning eyewitnesses and examining all possible entry and exit routes into the valley to uncover the tactics used by the terrorists. Teams are also conducting comprehensive searches across the Baisaran valley, determined to unravel the full extent of the terror conspiracy behind one of the most devastating attacks Kashmir has seen in recent years.
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