National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources have revealed that the sleeper cell network of top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Farooq Ahmad, currently hiding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), played a pivotal role in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 individuals, including 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri.
Ahmad, whose house in Kupwara was recently demolished by security forces in a continued crackdown on Kashmir’s terror infrastructure, has long operated as a major facilitator of infiltration routes across the LoC and planned multiple attacks over the past two years. Intelligence inputs confirm he leveraged secure communication apps to direct operations from Pakistan.
The April 22 attack in Baisaran valley, described as one of the most brutal in recent years, was executed by three terrorists—two Pakistanis, Ali Bhai alias Talha and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, and local LeT recruit Adil Hussain Thoker, who was trained in Pakistan after traveling there in 2018.
Police have released sketches of the terrorists involved and announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to their capture. Intelligence suggests a possible fourth terrorist may have aided the attackers from nearby forest areas.
The NIA continues its probe while Indian agencies tighten the net around cross-border operatives. The government reiterates its resolve to dismantle terror networks operating with support from across the border.
