At least 26 people, including two foreign tourists, were killed in a devastating terror attack in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. The attack, among the deadliest on civilians in the region in recent years, left several others injured, many critically, raising fears that the death toll may rise further.
The Resistant Front, a proxy group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the massacre, marking the most significant terror assault targeting civilians in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
On Wednesday, security forces released sketches of three suspects believed to be behind the brutal assault. Identified as Pakistani nationals Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, the trio—operating under the code names Moosa, Yunus, and Asif—have been linked to previous terror incidents in the Poonch region. Their identities were established with the assistance of survivors of the Pahalgam attack, officials said.
Among the deceased was Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony ride operator and the sole Kashmiri victim. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended his funeral prayers in Hapatnar, Anantnag district, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
“Perhaps he tried to stop them or grab a terrorist's weapon—that may be why he was targeted,” said Mr. Abdullah, speaking to reporters. “We will have to take care of the family and help them. I have come here to assure them that the government stands with them at this juncture, and we will do whatever we can for them.”
Security has been heightened across south Kashmir as search operations intensify to locate the perpetrators of the carnage.
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