Terrorists trekked 22 hours through rough terrain for Pahalgam attack: Sources

India Today

27-04-2025

New details emerging from the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack suggest that the terrorists who carried out the horrific assault on April 22, killing 26 people, trekked nearly 20 to 22 hours through difficult terrain from Kokernag forests to the scenic Baisaran valley to execute their deadly plan.Two mobile phones - one belonging to a local resident and the other to a tourist - were snatched by the terrorists during the attack, sources said. Four attackers were involved in the carnage: three Pakistani terrorists and one local terrorist, Adil Thokar, sources added.advertisementThokar, who initially joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018 after getting radicalised, crossed over to Pakistan legally using valid documents, where he received battle-hardened training with the Lashkar-e-Taiba before returning to the Kashmir Valley in 2024. Since his return, Thokar is said to have been actively assisting Pakistani terrorists by providing logistics and acting as a guide through the region's treacherous terrain.
Forensic analysis has confirmed that the terrorists used AK-47 and M4 assault rifles during the attack, with recovered cartridges providing crucial evidence.Two terrorists emerged from behind nearby shops, ordering victims to recite the Kalma before shooting four people dead at point-blank range, per sources. This sudden act of brutality triggered panic, with tourists running in all directions for safety. Simultaneously, the other two terrorists opened fire from near the zipline area, intensifying the bloodbath.advertisementIn a significant development, a key witness - a local photographer - has emerged in the case. Perched atop a tree during the attack, he managed to record critical footage capturing the sequence of events as they unfolded. His videos are now seen as crucial leads by investigators piecing together the full timeline of the attack.Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now formally begun the process of taking over the investigation following orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Teams from the anti-terror agency have been stationed at the attack site since Wednesday, intensifying their search for evidence under the supervision of senior officials.They are meticulously examining eyewitnesses to reconstruct the events and closely scrutinising the entry and exit points in the valley to understand the terrorists' modus operandi.Supported by forensic experts, NIA officials are combing the entire Baisaran valley for clues to expose the terror conspiracy behind one of the deadliest attacks witnessed in Kashmir in recent years.Tune InMust Watch