Suspected Pakistani Terrorists Behind 26 Deaths Believed to Be Hiding in Anantnag’s Forests
In the aftermath of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Indian security forces have intensified their hunt for the suspected perpetrators. Intelligence and security sources believe that two highly trained Pakistani terrorists are behind the carnage and are currently hiding in the upper reaches of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir.
The infiltrators reportedly crossed into India about a year and a half ago through the Samba-Kathua sector, breaching the border fence. Authorities suspect that they have orchestrated or aided in several terror incidents across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh since then.
Tech and Local Help Aiding Manhunt
A joint operation led by the Indian Army, Rashtriya Rifles, and paramilitary forces is underway. Officials say they are relying on technical surveillance, including mobile and drone tracking, as well as inputs from local tribal communities familiar with the terrain. These resources have been instrumental in narrowing down the hiding spots of the attackers.
Who Are the Suspected Terrorists?
Investigators have identified the key figure as Musa, a Pakistani national reportedly involved in the Z-morh tunnel attack in Sonmarg on October 20, 2024, which killed seven workers. Security forces confirmed Musa’s identity using photographs found on the phone of slain local terrorist Junaid Ahmed Bhat, whom they killed last December in the Dachigam forests.
Eyewitnesses from the Pahalgam attack and other recent incidents recognized Musa from those images.
Security forces have identified another attacker as Ali Bhai, a Pakistani national, along with Thoker, a local recruit from Bijbehara in Anantnag.
Thoker had earlier traveled to Pakistan on a student visa in 2018, only to join a Lashkar-e-Taiba training camp. He is believed to have returned to the Valley with the two Pakistani infiltrators.
Pattern of Attacks Traced
The group is suspected to have been active across Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and South Kashmir, orchestrating high-precision strikes. Security sources suggest their involvement in the Boot Pathari ambush on October 24, 2024, that left five, including three Army men, dead. Though the attack was claimed by the People’s Anti Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed, evidence suggests a possible link to this group.
Investigators are also reviewing whether the group was behind the August 2023 Kulgam killings and the May 2024 Poonch attack that killed an Indian Air Force personnel and injured four others.
Grim Details Emerge from Autopsies
Preliminary autopsy reports from the Pahalgam massacre reveal chilling details: 12 of the 26 victims had gunshot wounds to the head, suggesting execution-style killings. Sources say the terrorists were urging each other to hurry during the assault, indicating a pre-planned operation with a tight getaway plan.
BSF Under Scrutiny
Infiltration through the Samba-Kathua corridor had previously come under scrutiny, with a senior BSF officer facing reprimand from the Ministry of Home Affairs after earlier incidents. The current developments have revived concerns about gaps in border security and raised calls for increased vigilance along the LoC.
