logo
How Adil Thoker went from being J&K teacher to Pahalgam terror attack architect

How Adil Thoker went from being J&K teacher to Pahalgam terror attack architect

First Post26-04-2025

Adil Hussain Thoker, the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, hails from Anantnag's Guri village. He is one of the gunmen that carried out the attack, killing 26 people. But who is Thoker? How did he go from a teacher to becoming the architect of the Pahalgam terror attack? read more
Adil Hussain Thoker, the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, once worked as a teacher. News18
Who is Adil Hussain Thoker?
The mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack once worked as a teacher, according to several media reports.
He was reportedly one of the six gunmen that carried out the attack which left 26 dead.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.
But who is he? How did he go from a teacher to becoming the architect of the Pahalgam terror attack?
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Let's take a closer look:
Who is Thoker?
As per The Print, Thoker hails from Anantnag's Guri village.
His father is one Wali Mohammad Thoker, as per News18.
His family owns land in the area. Thoker is one of three siblings.
'He has two brothers. His family also owns a good chunk of land here,' a source told the outlet.
Thoker became radicalised during his college years.
Thoker began working as a teacher after completing his post-graduation.
He was also seen attending religious gatherings and funerals of militants killed by security forces.
'This began way before he left for Pakistan. At that time no one suspected anything since a lot of people would attend funerals of militants. Suspicion arose when he disappeared in 2018,' a second source said.
Thoker is thought to have visited Pakistan in 2018.
As per News18, Thoker is believed to have travelled to Pakistan via Wagah on a Valid Travel Document (VTD).
He is said to have disappeared shortly afterwards.
Later, it began being reported that Thoker had joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – the Pakistan-based terror outfit.
The sketches of some of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. News18
'Intelligence suggests he was in touch with terror outfits already and went to Pakistan to receive training. He and the other terrorists entered Kashmir late last year, together. We suspect they were hiding in various areas including Poonch-Rajouri, Doda Kishtwar, among others,' a third source told The Print.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As per NDTV, Thoker cut off all contact with his family.
He remained out of sight for the next eight months.
Intelligence agencies tracking his digital footprint could not find him.
A surveillance operation on his home in Anantnag's Bijbehara bore no fruits either.
Sources told the outlet Thoker was being given ideological and paramilitary training during this period.
As per The Times of India, Thoker is also known as Adil Guri.
Mastermind of Pahalgam attack
As per News18, Thoker is thought to have planned the attack alongside the LeT's Saifullah Kasuri and Abu Musa.
Thoker was among the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack.
Eyewitnesses said the terrorists went into the Pir Panjal forest afterwards.
As per The Print, local intelligence had indicated Thoker was in Pahalgam just days before the attack.
Thoker was seen in Rajouri's Poonch earlier this year alongside terrorists as well as last year.
As per NDTV, the area is known for its difficult terrain including steep hills and dense forests.
Thoker at the time was accompanied by three of four people – including Hashim Musa (alias Suleman), who is a prime accused in the Pahalgam attack.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Thoker is thought to have been key to allowing Musa to enter India.
Officials say Thoker crossed back into India last year via the Line of Control.
He was thought to be active in Jammu's Doda and Kishtwar regions.
As per NDTV, he is thought to have avoided security forces by using forested and mountainous routes.
Sources told the outlet Thoker was seen briefly in in Kishtwar before reaching Anantnag.
He is thought to have traversed the hilly belts of Tral or via tracks terrorists used before.
Thoker is believed to have gone to ground in Anantnag.
Intelligence said he gave refuge to at least one of the Pakistani nationals with him – either in forest encampments or hideouts in the village.
Thoker at this time is thought to have gotten in touch with sleeper cells.
Officials think Thoker was on the lookout for a chance to launch a high-profile attack.
People stand near the debris of the house of Adil Thoker, linked to the Pahalgam terror attack, after its demolition by authorities in Bijbehara in Anantnag district. PTI
At this time, India was also reopening tourist spots in the region after the Amarnath Yatra including Baisaran meadow.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Jammu and Kashmir police identified Thoker as one of the gunmen alongside Musa and Ali Bhai aka Talha Bhai, as per NDTV.
The men are thought to have used the aliases of Moosa, Yunus and Asif to hide their identities.
A source told The Times of India that Thoker is thought to have used his knowledge of the terrain in Baisaran to guide the terrorists.
Thoker is thought to helped them traverse the area, provide shelter for them, scout the area, plan the attack and their escape route.
A massive manhunt for the gunmen is on.
According to News18, the houses of Thoker and Sheikh have been demolished.
Explosives were supposedly found on the premises during the search operation, prompting the security forces to evacuate the occupants of the houses as well as neighbours to safety before they went off.
As per The Times of India, the police in Anantnag have announced a Rs 20 lakh reward for information leading to Thoker's capture.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As per Deccan Chronicle, Thoker was also a close aide of terrorist commander Uzair Khan, who has joined the TRF under the alias 'Usman Ghazi.'
Khan was killed in September 2023 in one of Jammu and Kashmir's longest anti-terror ops, as per Deccan Chronicle.
India has taken a slew of steps against Pakistan including downgrading diplomatic ties, revoking of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistan's military attaches, suspension of the over six-decade-old Indus Water Treaty and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
With inputs from agencies

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jaishankar meets European Commission chief von der Leyen in Belgium
Jaishankar meets European Commission chief von der Leyen in Belgium

The Print

time35 minutes ago

  • The Print

Jaishankar meets European Commission chief von der Leyen in Belgium

'Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen this morning. Welcomed her strong condemnation of terrorist attack in Pahalgam and solidarity in combatting terrorism,' he said in an X post. Jaishankar called on the top EU leader during his visit to Belgium and Luxembourg. Brussels, Jun 10 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen here and praised her 'strong condemnation' of the Pahalgam attack and solidarity in combating terrorism. The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack claimed 26 lives, following which tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. During the meeting, Jaishankar and von der Leyen also discussed efforts that are underway to deepen the India-EU partnership. 'Agreed on the potential benefits of stronger cooperation in trade, technology, connectivity and security for both our regions,' Jaishankar added. Von der Leyen also took to X after the meeting and said, 'The EU-India strategic partnership is getting stronger.' 'We're working on a Strategic Agenda based on growth with an ambitious FTA, tech & innovation and security & defence. I look forward to adopting it with @narendramodi at our next Summit,' she said. In June 2022, India and the 27-nation bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, an investment protection agreement and a pact on Geographical Indications after a gap of over eight years. The negotiations stalled in 2013 due to differences over the level of opening up of the markets. On February 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission chief agreed to seal the much-awaited free trade deal by the end of this year. Jaishankar met members of the European Parliament on Monday along with the Indian Ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, Saurabh Kumar. In a post on X, he said it was 'good to meet' David McAllister, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Sandro Gozi, Chair of the Delegation to EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly, and Greek parliamentarian Nikos Papandreou. The meetings followed an interaction with members of the Indian community on Monday evening. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with his Belgium counterpart Maxime Prevot on deepening bilateral cooperation, including in trade, investment, technology, defence and security, clean energy and mobility. During his week-long tour of Europe, Jaishankar will also hold talks with leaders of the European Union and France to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India's policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism. PTI GRS GRS GRS This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

India will strike ‘deep into Pakistan' if provoked by terror attacks, says S Jaishankar
India will strike ‘deep into Pakistan' if provoked by terror attacks, says S Jaishankar

Scroll.in

time41 minutes ago

  • Scroll.in

India will strike ‘deep into Pakistan' if provoked by terror attacks, says S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday asserted that India would strike ' deep into Pakistan ' if provoked by terror attacks, United States-based news outlet Politico reported. In an interview with the outlet, Jaishankar warned that there would be retribution if 'you continue to do the kind of barbaric acts which they did in April', referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. However, the minister clarified that this 'retribution will be against the terrorist organisations and the terrorist leadership'. 'And we don't care where they are,' Jaishankar further said. 'If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan.' The foreign minister alleged that Pakistan was training 'thousands' of terrorists 'in the open' and 'unleashing' them on New Delhi. The external affairs minister's comments came almost a month after New Delhi and Islamabad reached an 'understanding' to halt firing following a four-day conflict. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on May 7 when the Indian military carried out strikes – codenamed Operation Sindoor – on what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 persons on April 22. The Pakistan Army retaliated to Indian strikes by repeatedly shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. At least 22 Indian civilians and eight defence personnel were killed in the shelling. When asked by Politico if the conditions that led to the military hostilities in April remained, Jaishankar said: 'If you call the commitment to terrorism a source of tension, absolutely, it is.' Besides, answering a question about losses incurred by the Indian military, Jaishankar said appropriate authorities would respond about the matter. 'As far I'm concerned, how effective the Rafale was or frankly, how effective other systems were – to me the proof of the pudding are the destroyed and disabled airfields on the Pakistani side,' he said.

Is a pen drive at centre of SMC-CID clash?
Is a pen drive at centre of SMC-CID clash?

Time of India

time43 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Is a pen drive at centre of SMC-CID clash?

Ahmedabad: The dust may just be beginning to settle over the clash between two Gujarat police units, State Monitoring Cell (SMC) and CID (Crime), last week. In the meantime, new details emerged, suggesting that a pen drive could be at the centre of the flashpoint between the two units. According to sources, two relatively junior officers walked into the office of CID (Crime) chief Parikshita Rathod — a DIG-rank officer from the state police service — and questioned her about pending applications with the department. Alongside those inquiries, the two junior officers reportedly asked about a pen drive linked to a project in Gandhinagar. The pen drive had reportedly been in CID custody long before Rathod assumed her post, and she is said to have denied any knowledge of it. "It is obvious that the contents of the pen drive hold immense value to some officers," said a source close to the development. It is learnt that top bosses in the state govt are upset and seek to get to the bottom of the entire episode. On Monday, minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi held a meeting with all the cops involved in the operation, seeking an account of what transpired during last week. Sources say this is not the first time details were sought from the CID (Crime) office. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo While Rathod was on leave last week, a police team from a different department reportedly approached her office to seek details about some pending inquiries. Neither DGP Vikas Sahay nor SMC DIG Nirlipt Rai responded to queries regarding the incident. For the uninitiated, the matter traces back to a complaint filed by a Vadodara-based businessman over a Rs 15 crore fraud involving a foreign company. Dissatisfied with CID's response, he is believed to have sought help from a 2013-batch IPS officer, who informed DIG Rai, leading to the SMC's intervention. The confrontation peaked when two SMC constables questioned Rathod and a fellow officer in her office. Following objections from CID officials, the constables were asked to leave. The internal discord prompted emergency meetings and the suspension of a police sub-inspector.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store