Srinagar - The aftermath of the devastating Pahalgam attack continues to unfold as security forces in Jammu and Kashmir destroyed the homes of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists involved in the incident. The houses, belonging to Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, were destroyed in a blast on the night of April 24, 2025, while security forces were conducting searches inside the premises. The explosives, believed to have been planted inside the houses, detonated, leading to the destruction of the structures.
Adil Hussain Thokar, a resident of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, is considered one of the main accused in the Pahalgam massacre that occurred on April 22, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals, including a Nepalese national, primarily tourists. Asif Sheikh, from Tral in Pulwama district, is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy surrounding the attack.
According to sources, the attack was orchestrated under the direction of Saifullah Kasuri, the Deputy Chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence reports indicate that the planning for the attack began in February 2023, during a meeting at Kasuri's residence in Kasur, Pakistan, with five key commanders of the terrorist organization. These commanders, including Abu Musa, Idris Shahin, and Mohammad Nawaz, subsequently held further meetings in various locations, including Rawalakot, where they finalized the operational roadmap for the attack.
To justify their actions, the commanders referenced previous terrorist attacks, including the infamous 2004 Akshardham Temple attack. Furthermore, there are indications that the militants involved in the Pahalgam attack have connections with various Pakistan-based terror groups, including Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, which has been implicated in multiple assaults in India.
The Indian forces had previously neutralized a terrorist in March 2025, and these recent developments have escalated the urgency to address the rising threat of terrorism in the region. Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government announced several diplomatic measures aimed at Pakistan, including the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari and the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.
In the wake of the attack, nationwide protests erupted across India, demanding stricter actions against Pakistan for its alleged support of terrorism. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened for an emergency meeting where they discussed retaliatory measures including a reduction of diplomatic staff at both countries' missions and the declaration of certain Pakistani diplomats as persona non grata.
As part of these measures, both India and Pakistan will reduce their diplomatic missions' staff strength from 55 to 30 effective May 1, 2025. All military, naval, and air defense personnel at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been ordered to leave India within a week, while Indian advisors in Islamabad will also be withdrawn. Additionally, the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme has been suspended, and Pakistani citizens currently in India under this scheme have been given 40 hours to return to their country.
Amid these developments, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for any information leading to the capture of Thokar, Sheikh, and two other Pakistani nationals identified as Hashim Musa alias Suleiman and Ali Talha, who are also wanted in connection with the Pahalgam attack. Hashim Musa is believed to have been active in Jammu and Kashmir for the past year and has been implicated in at least three previous attacks on security forces and non-locals.
In a related incident, two security personnel were injured during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Bandipora district on April 25, 2025. The firefight erupted after security forces launched a search operation based on intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the area.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, has highlighted the persistent threat posed by terrorist modules operating in the region. These groups, often comprising foreign militants supported by local operatives and overground workers, have been responsible for several high-profile attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
As the investigation into the Pahalgam attack continues, security agencies remain vigilant, conducting operations to dismantle these terror networks and prevent further violence. The Indian government is under increasing pressure to take decisive action against Pakistan and its alleged support for terrorism, as public sentiment grows in favor of stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring developments as they seek to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam attack to justice. The recent destruction of the homes of Thokar and Sheikh serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism in the region.
