The Pahalgam terror attack that shook Kashmir was the result of a chillingly well-orchestrated plan hatched by Lashkar-e-Taiba masterminds operating from Pakistan. Investigations reveal that the terrorists underwent training across the border specifically to carry out bloodshed in the Baisaran Valley.

22-Hour Trek Through Dense Forests

According to security agencies, four heavily armed terrorists — three Pakistanis and one local, Adil Thokar Hussain — trekked for nearly 20–22 hours through the thick forests of Kokernag to reach the attack site. En route, they reportedly snatched mobile phones from a local Kashmiri and a tourist to cut off communication and avoid detection.

Adil Thokar: The Local Link

Adil Thokar Hussain, once a Hizbul Mujahideen recruit, had traveled to Pakistan legally in 2018 where he received advanced training under Lashkar-e-Taiba. Upon returning to Kashmir in 2024, Adil became a vital facilitator for Pakistani terrorists — offering them shelter, logistical support, and guiding them through the treacherous terrain. Investigators also uncovered that Adil had built an informer network among locals working with tourists, helping him gather crucial intelligence.

Explosive Evidence Captured on Camera

In a major breakthrough, a local photographer who was perched atop a tree captured the entire attack on video. This footage, now in the hands of the NIA (National Investigation Agency), is considered crucial evidence. The Home Ministry has directed a sweeping probe across multiple regions of Kashmir, focusing heavily on the Baisaran Valley.

Brutal Execution of Tourists

The investigation paints a grim picture of the attack. Witnesses stated that two terrorists emerged from behind shops and demanded that tourists recite the Islamic Kalma. Those who couldn’t were shot point-blank. Simultaneously, two other terrorists opened fire near the zipline area, indiscriminately killing more people.

Chillingly, the terrorists forced several tourists to remove their pants to identify their religion before executing them. A total of 26 people — including a Nepali citizen — were brutally killed.

High-Powered Weapons and Chinese Steel Cartridges

Terrorists were armed with AK-47 and M4 rifles, using Chinese-made steel-core cartridges capable of piercing bulletproof vests. The use of such lethal ammunition points to a highly sophisticated and brutal strategy aimed at causing maximum casualties.