Srinagar: Days after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday, April 23, released sketches of the four individuals believed to be behind the killings. Two of them have been identified as foreign infiltrators from Pakistan, while the other two are local residents suspected of aiding the attackers.
Key Suspects Identified, Hunt for Musa Intensifies
The four accused have been identified as Ali Bhai alias Talha and Asif Fauji, both from Pakistan, along with Adil Hussain Thoker from Anantnag and Ahsan from Pulwama. According to officials, Thoker crossed into Pakistan in 2018 and returned to Jammu and Kashmir last year, allegedly helping the infiltrators navigate the region.
Among the prime suspects is Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman, a Pakistani national with a known history of attacks on security personnel and civilians. “He has likely been involved in at least three incidents targeting non-locals,” an NIA official said in a statement. Investigators believe Musa might be operating with groups other than Lashkar-e-Taiba, indicating broader cross-border terror collaboration.
Over 2,000 Detained After Probe Launched
In an extensive crackdown, security forces have reportedly detained over 2,000 individuals, including former militants and overground workers (OGWs), in an effort to dismantle the support network for such attacks. “Many people, after the initial investigation, have been released,” said a senior police officer, as quoted by Hindustan Times. Authorities have also announced a Rs 20 lakh reward for credible information on the attackers.
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Centre Steps In Amid Rising Tensions
Top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Intelligence Bureau, and other central agencies held a meeting in Delhi on Thursday, April 24, to formulate a stronger response to increasing infiltration attempts.
Discussions reportedly focused on sealing border routes, tightening surveillance, and identifying those using encrypted communication apps to assist terror groups like LeT and its proxy, The Resistance Front.
The incident has further escalated diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, with the government taking significant steps, such as the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, to express the nation's outrage over continued cross-border terrorism.
