Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 23: Initial investigations into the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians and tourists dead, suggest the involvement of five to seven terrorists, including at least two local militants trained in Pakistan, officials said on Wednesday.

One of the key suspects identified is Aadil Thokar alias Aadil Guree, a resident of Bijbehara, whose name surfaced after a tourist’s widow recognized him as one of the assailants. Officials revealed that Aadil had crossed into Pakistan in 2018 and underwent training with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) before infiltrating back into India.

According to the probe, four terrorists lined up victims at Baisaran meadows and shot them at close range, while one to three others maintained a lookout for security forces. Shockingly, the attackers were reportedly wearing body cameras to record the massacre.

Eyewitnesses were shown images of suspected terrorists, and one confirmed Aadil as the shooter. Post-attack, the assailants fled into the dense Pir Panjal forests.

Security agencies have also released sketches of three Pakistani nationals believed to be involved: Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, using code names Moosa, Yunus, and Asif. These men are also linked to earlier terror activities in Poonch.

In a bid to track down the attackers, the police have announced a Rs 20 lac bounty for credible information leading to their capture or neutralisation. Security operations have been intensified across Jammu and Kashmir.