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In a significant development, Indian intelligence agencies have identified Saifullah Kasuri, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as the mastermind behind the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of LeT, had earlier claimed responsibility for the assault, which targeted Hindu tourists in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack, marked as the deadliest on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, involved five militants who emerged from dense forests and opened fire on tourists with automatic weapons. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants selectively targeted victims based on their religion, asking them to recite Islamic declarations and checking for circumcision before executing them.
Junaid Ahmed Bhatt
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a comprehensive probe into the incident. Preliminary investigations have led to the identification of three suspects linked to LeT: Asif Fauji (alias Moosa), Suleman Shah (alias Yunus), and Abu Talha (alias Asif). At least two of these individuals are believed to be foreign nationals with prior involvement in militancy-related incidents in the Poonch region.
In response to the attack, the Indian government has taken several diplomatic and security measures. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, closure of borders, expulsion of Pakistani defense officials, and a large-scale manhunt resulting in the detention of approximately 1,500 individuals across Jammu and Kashmir.Hafiz Saeed’s Lashkar-e-Taiba Linked to Pahalgam Massacre: Intelligence Agencies Uncover Mastermind Behind Kashmir Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his overseas trip, convened an emergency meeting and vowed that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that retaliation would extend not only to the perpetrators but also to those who orchestrated the attack from behind the scenes.
The involvement of LeT and its proxy, TRF, in the Pahalgam attack underscores the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism. The Indian government continues to monitor the situation closely, with heightened security measures in place to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Also Read : Salim Merchant Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack: “As a Muslim, I Feel Ashamed 2025
