Homes of 2 Terrorists Behind Pahalgam Attack Blown Up in J&K
In a dramatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, security forces destroyed the homes of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh, in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, officials confirmed.
The residences of Adil Hussain Thoker in Anantnag and Asif Sheikh in Pulwama were razed in controlled blasts late Thursday, hours after police identified them as key figures in the Pahalgam attack. Sources revealed explosives were stored in both houses, escalating the operation’s intensity. No casualties were reported during the demolitions.
On Tuesday, terrorists struck Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, a scenic tourist spot known as “mini Switzerland,” killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, targeted civilians in an area famed for its Himalayan vistas and pine forests. Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group, is suspected of orchestrating the massacre.
Anantnag Police released sketches of Thoker and two Pakistani nationals, Hashim Musa (alias Suleman) and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai), believed to be Lashkar operatives. A Rs 20 lakh reward has been announced for information leading to their arrest. “We are closing in on the perpetrators,” a senior police official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed relentless action against the attackers and their backers. “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth,” he declared at a rally in Madhubani, Bihar, on Thursday. He hinted at Pakistan’s role, stating, “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven.”
Following a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on Wednesday, India imposed stringent measures against Pakistan, citing “cross-border links” to the attack. These include expelling Pakistani military attaches, suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and shutting down the Attari land-transit post. The moves signal a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions.
The Pahalgam attack is the latest in a series of terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, a region plagued by militancy for decades. Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for major attacks like the 2008 Mumbai massacre, remains a potent threat. The targeting of a popular tourist destination like Baisaran underscores the group’s intent to disrupt peace and tourism in the Valley.
As security forces intensify their manhunt for the remaining suspects, India’s aggressive diplomatic and military response signals a zero-tolerance stance. “Terrorism will not go unpunished,” Modi reiterated, setting the stage for further action.
