Massive Crackdown in Kashmir After Pahalgam Attack; 1,500 Detained for Questioning

In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir’s security forces have launched a sweeping crackdown across the Valley, detaining hundreds for questioning.

Police revealed that among the three militants involved, one is a local while the other two are Pakistanis. The attackers have been identified as Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag, and Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi and Hashim Musa alias Suleman from Pakistan.

Their sketches were released earlier this week.

Interestingly, Adil Hussain Thokar shares his name with Syed Adil Shah, a local ponywallah from Pahalgam who reportedly died heroically while trying to save tourists during the attack.

Authorities believe Thokar legally traveled to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border in 2018 and returned to Kashmir last year, turning to militancy while keeping a low profile.

To aid in their capture, the police have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for any information leading to the militants’ whereabouts.

“These three individuals are responsible for the trorist attack on civilians at Baisaran, Pahalgam,” police said.

The attack claimed the lives of 25 tourists and pony handler Syed Adil Shah, making it the deadliest assault on visitors in the region in decades.

In response, security forces have launched extensive search operations across the dense forests of Pahalgam.

Locals report that hundreds of personnel from the Army, police, and CRPF are engaged in intensive combing operations to track down the terrorists.

The crackdown has expanded Valley-wide, with sources estimating that around 1,500 individuals have been detained for questioning — making it one of the largest operations seen in years.

While the government remains largely silent on the crackdown’s scope, police sources confirmed that many of those detained include suspected overground workers and individuals previously linked to militancy.

Although the Jammu and Kashmir Police are currently handling the case, officials hinted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to formally take over soon. NIA teams are already assisting in the ongoing investigation.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.