Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Killed, Suspects Identified

Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir | Apr 23 — In the wake of the ghastly terror attack that shook the peaceful town of Pahalgam and killed 26 people—all of them tourists—the security agencies on Wednesday put out sketches of three prime suspects, stepping up the country-wide manhunt for the attackers.

The three suspects, Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, are said to be operatives of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Officials, according to PTI, disclosed their code names—Moosa, Yunus, and Asif—informing that the three had been involved in previous terror operations in Poonch.

The ghastly attack was on Monday at Baisaran meadow, a scenic tourist spot close to Pahalgam, famously referred to as “Mini Switzerland” due to its beauty. Investigators say that the attackers could have entered the Valley from Kishtwar through Kokernag in South Kashmir, carrying out one of the most lethal attacks on civilians in recent times.

The drawings were made from survivor accounts of the massacre, which detailed the armed attackers in gruesome detail. Forces have subsequently initiated a large-scale search operation in South Kashmir, while intelligence agencies continue to monitor possible movements and hideouts.

The scale of the attack invited urgent top-brass action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened his trip to Saudi Arabia and arrived back in Delhi late Tuesday night, where he conducted a midnight emergency meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior security commanders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah flew into Kashmir and went to the site of the attack early Wednesday morning and met with local police and army officials.

The Resistance Front has taken responsibility for the attack in a statement, which is currently being probed by central agencies. The attack has also been questioned in terms of the timing, following days after the Pakistan Army Chief’s provocative comment, which many analysts believe could have resulted in the boosting of confidence for the attackers.

The international community responded in shock and sympathy. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his “full support” to India and conveyed “deepest sympathies” to the victims’ families and those affected. Condolence messages have been streaming in from all over the world.

In a statement cited by Pakistan’s Dawn, Foreign Office official Shafqat Khan condoled the loss of lives of tourists and wished for a “speedy recovery” of the injured. The message did little, however, to calm increasing international and local pressure over cross-border terror networks.

While India grieves over the unfortunate loss of innocent lives, pressure is building on officials to provide quick justice. The sketches of the suspects have now been widely distributed, hoping that the public would help track down the perpetrators of this barbaric act.