NIA is likely to take up the investigations soon
Sending out a tough message to the local terrorists active across different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces late Thursday night reportedly blew up the houses of two terrorists after confirming their involvement in the brutal massacre of tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 tourists were killed and 17 others were wounded.
According to official sources, the houses of two terrorists identified as Asif Sheikh and Adil Hussain Thokar were destroyed in the powerful explosions in the South Kashmir area of Tral and Guree Bijbehara late Thursday night.
The house of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, Asif Sheikh, was destroyed in a powerful blast in the Monghama area of Tral, while Adil Hussain Thokar’s home was blown over in the Guree Bijbehara area.
According to police sources, security forces were conducting a search operation in the area when they noticed some suspicious items inside the premises. Sensing imminent danger, the personnel immediately pulled back from the site to ensure their safety. However, a massive explosion ripped through the house shortly after, leaving it extensively damaged. While the exact cause of the blast is yet to be officially confirmed, preliminary inputs suggest the presence of explosive materials within the structure triggered the blasts.
Initial investigations have so far revealed that the number of terrorists involved in the gruesome Pahalgam attack could range from five to seven, aided by at least two local terrorists who received training in Pakistan.
Security agencies have also released the sketches of three terrorists suspected of being involved in the terror attack. The terrorists, all three Pakistanis, are Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, officials said. They had code names — Moosa, Yunus, and Asif — and were involved in terror-related incidents in Poonch. The Anantnag Police has announced a reward of Rs.20 lakh for information on terrorists who carried out the attack.
LeT commander Altaf Lalli killed in Bandipora encounter
India drew first blood in its operation to identify and eliminate those behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli killed in an encounter in Bandipora.
Tension set to escalate along the Line of Control
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, tensions along the Line of Control are set to escalate in the coming days. According to ground reports, small arms firing was reported from multiple Pakistani posts along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Pakistan Army throughout the night. In response, the Indian Army retaliated.
So far, reports of any major loss of life and vital assets have not been reported from the Indian side.
“The Pakistani Army fired small arms along the border. Our troops responded. Further details are being ascertained. There have been no casualties,” said an official.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a gunfight broke out between security forces in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir and terrorists on Friday. According to sources, a terrorist on the run has been injured. On the other hand, two security officers of a senior police official have also been injured.
OP KOLNAR, Bandipora
On 25 Apr 2025, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in general area Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora. Contact was established and firefight ensued.
Operation is…
— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) April 25, 2025
The security forces launched a cordon and search operation after they received information about terrorists hiding in the forests of the Bazipora area. The search operation soon turned into a gunfight as the terrorists opened fire.
On Thursday, a soldier with the special forces was killed in action as joint security forces engaged in a gunfight with terrorists in the Udhampur district.
JKP, NIA conducting investigations
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are working around the clock in south Kashmirís Pahalgam area to trace the terrorists involved in the killing of 26 tourists in Baisaran meadow on Tuesday.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anantnag has been formed after the registration of FIR No 25/2025 at Police Station Pahalgam.
More than 150 people, including some pony wallas, who were present in or around Baisaran on April 22, have been questioned to gather some vital inputs.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, also visited Pahalgam to supervise the ongoing investigations in the case. NIA is most likely to take up the investigations in the case after the issuance of the formal notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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NOT enough. The land to be confiscated. The entire family members land & property to be taken
Sreeram, the SC will strike it down. As I said elsewhere, no point in blaming Pak when we have more than our fair share of terrorist sympathizers and apologizers in our midst.