Pahalgam Attack: Photo, Sketches of Terrorists Released; LeT Link Suspected
Security agencies have released a photo and sketches of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists, identifying three suspects linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In a significant breakthrough, investigators on Thursday released both sketches and a photo of the terrorists who carried out the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The suspects have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha—members of The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), according to intelligence officials.
The three are believed to have led a larger group of 5–6 terrorists who stormed the scenic Baisaran meadow on Tuesday, killing 26 and injuring several others. The assailants were reportedly armed with AK-47s and dressed in a mix of camouflage and local attire to blend into the forest terrain.
Top intelligence sources have identified Saifullah Kasuri, also known as Khalid—a senior LeT commander—as the mastermind behind the massacre. The attackers had infiltrated the Valley from Pakistan just days before the incident, intelligence agencies said.
According to eyewitness accounts and forensic inputs, the attackers used military-grade weapons and advanced communications equipment. “This was a highly coordinated and planned strike with cross-border links,” said an official from a central intelligence agency.
The attackers were reportedly equipped with helmet-mounted cameras and had stocked dry fruits and medicines, indicating they were prepared for a long engagement. Officials suspect the terrorists had conducted reconnaissance with help from local collaborators.
“Two of them spoke Pashto, while others were locals from Tral and Bijbhera. This confirms the hybrid nature of the group,” a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.
Investigators have also traced the digital footprints of the terrorists to locations in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, bolstering the evidence of Pakistan-based planning and logistical support. Security agencies are now combing the dense forest belt around Pahalgam using drones and helicopters.
The Pahalgam assault is the most devastating terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack. The victims included two foreign nationals—from UAE and Nepal—and tourists from multiple Indian states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana.
Security forces have launched a full-scale anti-terror operation to track down the attackers. Authorities have urged the public to share any information that may assist in locating the suspects, whose images are now widely circulated.
“Every piece of evidence helps. We request cooperation from local residents to identify and report these individuals,” said ADGP (Kashmir Zone) Vijay Kumar.
