Crackdown After Pahalgam Attack: Houses Of Wanted Terrorists Demolished In Pulwama, Tral, Shopian

News18

26-04-2025

Last Updated:
After 26 people were killed in the Baisaran terror attack, security forces demolished the houses of key suspects, including wanted terrorist Ehsan Ul Haq's Pulwama home
Blue shards of glass strewn across the ground greet visitors entering the bylane of Murran in Pulwama, where the house of wanted terrorist Ehsan Ul Haq now lies demolished 200 metres inside. According to locals, Indian Army personnel in 20 vehicles arrived on Friday evening and carried out a controlled explosion to demolish the house.
'The entire lane was emptied. All of us were moved out. Their work went on for hours. At around 10:30, the house was brought down and the army left an hour later," a neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, told CNN-News18.
Neighbours said Ehsan's parents, his brother, and sister-in-law were residing in the Pulwama house, while Ehsan himself has been missing for the past two years. The family left when the forces arrived, locals said.
The demolition caused damage to 10–15 houses in the vicinity, with some homes suffering complete damage and others left with broken glass panes and windows. Udarshe Thokar's house, located adjacent to the Haq household, suffered cracks in the front portion due to the demolition. Thokar's family told CNN-News18 that his son's wedding is due in 10 days.
A group of women were heard wailing over the losses suffered. 'We are also paying the price for something we had no role in," a local said.
Agencies suspect Ehsan was among the local terrorists who assisted Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Talha, alias Ali Bhai, in executing the Baisaran terror attack. Musa and Talha, both Lashkar terrorists, carry a police-announced reward of Rs 20 lakh each. The Baisaran attack involved terrorists targeting civilians and security forces in the popular tourist meadow area of Baisaran, heightening concerns over the security situation in the Valley.
Similar action was taken against other wanted terror suspects. In Monghama, Tral, the house of Asif Sheikh, believed to be a local Lashkar commander and previously wanted in the Sunjwan terror attack, was demolished on Friday morning.
Adil Guree, another suspect from Bijbehara, believed to have conducted reconnaissance of the meadow before the Baisaran attack, also had his family house demolished.
Late on Friday night, action was taken against the houses of Shabir Ahmad Kuttay in Chotipora, Shopian, and Zakir Ganie in Kulgam. Both are wanted terror suspects.
Pahalgam Killings
At least 26 people were shot dead in the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist site in Kashmir, in what was seen as one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region after the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
Following the attack, India announced a raft of measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. New Delhi also announced the shutting down of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, and the scaling down of top officials at the High Commission.
Pakistan rejected India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any attempt to halt the flow of water would be considered an 'act of war." It also threatened to suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement, which validates the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that terrorists would be pursued 'to the ends of the earth" as he assured that every terrorist and their backers would be 'identified, tracked, and punished."
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
April 26, 2025, 14:26 IST
News india Crackdown After Pahalgam Attack: Houses Of Wanted Terrorists Demolished In Pulwama, Tral, Shopian