‘Most Wanted' List Drawn After Pahalgam Attack: Lashkar, Jaish, Hizbul Terrorists Under Scanner

News18

26-04-2025

Last Updated:
According to the list, eight of the identified terrorists are associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, while three each belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, intelligence agencies have intensified their hunt for local terrorists suspected of conspiring in the assault. A list of 14 active terrorists operating in South Kashmir's Anantnag, Shopian, and Pulwama districts has been prepared, as agencies step up action across the Valley.
According to the list, eight of the identified terrorists are associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, while three each belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. One individual from the list, wanted Lashkar terrorist Ehsan Ul Haq, has already faced action, with his house in Pulwama recently demolished by security forces.
The other terrorists facing intensified scrutiny are:
Adil Rahman Detu – A Lashkar commander from Sopore who allegedly took to terrorism in 2021.
Ahmed Sheikh – A Jaish commander from Avantipora, allegedly active since 2022 in terror conspiracies.
Haris Nazir – A wanted Lashkar terrorist from Pulwama.
Amir Nazir Wani – A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist from Pulwama.
Yawar Ahmed Bhatt – A Jaish terrorist from Pulwama.
Asif Ahmed Kandey – Associated with Hizbul Mujahideen since July 2015; suspected to be aiding Lashkar and Jaish cadres in Kashmir.
Nasir Ahmed Wani – A Lashkar terrorist from Shopian.
Adnan Safi Daar – Joined TRF in 2024 and allegedly involved in terror conspiracies since then.
Zubair Ahmed Wani – Hizbul Mujahideen's chief operational commander in Anantnag, classified as an A+ category terrorist, with his name featuring in multiple attacks against security forces since 2018.
Harun Rashid Gani – A Hizbul Mujahideen alleged terrorist from Anantnag, who reportedly travelled to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for training.
Zubair Ahmed Gani – From Kulgam, associated with the TRF and wanted in several cases of targeted killings and attacks on security forces.
Apart from these 14 names, agencies have also taken action against Asif Sheikh from Tral, Adil Guree from Bijbehara, Shabir Ahmad Kuttay from Shopian, and Zakir Ganie from Kulgam.
According to intelligence dossiers, all these individuals remained active in the Valley until April 2025, just days before the Pahalgam attack unfolded.
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."
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