New Details Unveil Radicalized Suspect Behind Pahalgam Terror Attack, Authorities Intensify Search

April 26, 2025 — New developments have emerged in the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and a local pony operator. Investigations have revealed that one of the main suspects, Adil Ahmed Thoker, had traveled to Pakistan in 2018 on a student visa, where he was radicalized and later became involved in violent extremism.

The Network Behind the Attack

Thoker did not return alone. It is believed he was accompanied by three to four others, including a Pakistani national named Hashim Musa (alias Suleman), who is now identified as a key conspirator in the Pahalgam attack. The group navigated remote paths through Kishtwar and possibly Tral, re-establishing their presence in Anantnag.

Sources suggest that Thoker played a key role in reactivating dormant militant cells and scouting for possible targets. The attack on the popular Baisaran meadow, a tourist hub, was strategically planned to destabilize the region at the height of Kashmir’s tourist season following the Amarnath Yatra.

Thoker’s Radicalisation and Journey

Thoker, a resident of Gurre village in Bijbehara, Anantnag, left India in 2018 amidst concerns over his growing radical leanings. Intelligence reports indicate that he had been in contact with operatives from banned militant groups before his departure.

Once in Pakistan, Thoker cut off all communication with his family and spent eight months undergoing radical ideological training and military-style preparation under handlers associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Thoker reappeared on Indian intelligence radars in late 2024, after infiltrating back into India through the Poonch-Rajouri sector — a region notorious for being used by militants due to its challenging terrain.

Timeline of the Attack

The attack took place around 1:50 PM on April 22, when armed assailants, wielding assault rifles, opened fire on the busy tourist area of Baisaran, emerging from nearby pine forests. According to survivors, the attackers forced people to either declare their religion or recite Islamic verses. Those who failed to comply were shot on the spot. The attack lasted less than ten minutes and left behind a scene of devastation. Among the victims were two security personnel — one from the Indian Navy and the other from the Intelligence Bureau.

Authorities Hunt for Suspects

Jammu and Kashmir Police have officially named three main suspects: Adil Ahmed Thoker, Hashim Musa (alias Suleman), and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai). The police have released sketches of the suspects and announced a ₹20 lakh reward for anyone providing credible information leading to their capture.

In a significant breakthrough, security forces destroyed the homes of Thoker and another suspect, Asif Sheikh from Tral, in controlled explosions after discovering hidden explosives. Asif Sheikh, believed to have provided logistical support, is still under investigation.

Authorities have ramped up search operations across Anantnag, Kulgam, and Tral, urging residents not to provide shelter to the fugitives.