Security agencies released sketches of three suspects linked to the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, April 23. The attack, which occurred at the picturesque Baisaran meadow — popularly known as ‘mini Switzerland’ — claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, and has triggered an intensive manhunt for the culprits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to Delhi, while Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Kashmir on Tuesday, indicating the gravity of the situation and the urgency of the response.
According to officials quoted by PTI, the suspects have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. They also reportedly operated under code names — Moosa, Yunus, and Asif — and were previously linked to terror incidents in Poonch. The released sketches were created with the assistance of eyewitnesses and survivors of the attack.
Investigators believe the attackers may have infiltrated from Kishtwar in Jammu and traveled via Kokernag in South Kashmir to reach Baisaran, where they executed one of the most brutal attacks on civilians in the Valley in recent times.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as per PTI reports. The incident has also been linked by some to a recent controversial statement made by the Pakistan Army chief.
The tragedy has sparked widespread condemnation and expressions of solidarity from around the world. Former U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed “full support” and “deepest sympathies” to India in response to the terror strike.
Pakistan, meanwhile, issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was “concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives” in the incident.
