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Al Jazeera
26-04-2025
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Homes of Kashmir attack suspects blown up
Soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir have demolished the homes of two men suspected of carrying out the disputed region's deadliest attack against civilians in nearly two decades. Police say the attackers are members of The Resistance Front (TRF), a faction of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pakistan rejects the allegation. Meanwhile, Indian security forces have launched a huge manhunt for those responsible for killing 26 men in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Authorities have released wanted posters with sketches of three suspects: Adil Hussain Thokar, a suspected Kashmiri rebel, and two Pakistani citizens identified as Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. They are also searching for Ashif Sheikh, another suspected rebel. The family members of the two suspected rebels were also detained for questioning after the attack, a police officer and their relatives said. Sheikh's sister Yasmeena said soldiers cordoned off the area around their house in Kashmir's southern Tral area late on Thursday night. 'One soldier climbed over the mud compound wall of our home,' said Yasmeena, who gave only one name. 'After some time, a big, frightening blast brought the house down. Everything inside was destroyed,' she said, adding that no one was inside the home at the time. A police officer said soldiers also destroyed Thokar's family home in neighbouring Bijbehara area in the same manner early on Friday. 'Both [suspected rebels] have been active for three to four years, and are part of TRF, which is an offshoot of LeT,' the officer told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media. 'They are wanted militants [rebels] involved in earlier attacks as well on security forces,' the officer added. Police have also offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest.
Economic Times
25-04-2025
- Economic Times
'My brother is Mujahideen', admits sister of the Pahalgam terrorist whose house was demolished in Kashmir
Following the deadly Pahalgam attack, security forces demolished the home of a suspected terrorist's family in Tral during a search operation. The suspect's sister identified her brother as a militant and accused authorities of collective punishment, stating her family is innocent. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Houses destroyed in explosive search operation Reward announced for fugitives Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Attack that shocked Kashmir Aftermath and growing outrage The sister of a terrorist involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack has identified her brother as a " Mujahideen " and accused authorities of punishing innocent family members after their home in Tral was demolished due to an explosion during a search to reporters near the ruins of the demolished house, she said, 'My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a Mujahideen, and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws' place, I did not find my parents and siblings at home. Police had taken them away. While I was here, the Security Forces came and asked me to move to a neighbour's house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolished… We are innocent. They have destroyed our house.'The woman is the sister of Adil Hussain Thokar , also known as Adil Guree, a local terrorist from Anantnag district who has been named by authorities as one of the key conspirators in the Pahalgam attack. Officials say Thokar is affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and helped plan the massacre alongside Pakistani family's home in Tral was one of two buildings reduced to rubble on Thursday night. The second belonged to another local man suspected of terror links. According to officials, the explosions took place during a search operation for alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh. Authorities claim the homes contained explosives that went off while being examined by security Anantnag Police has announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for credible information leading to the arrest of Adil Hussain Thokar, along with two other Lashkar terrorists identified as Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. All three are accused of playing central roles in orchestrating the deadly assault in Baisaran, a tourist meadow about seven kilometres from say Thokar legally visited Pakistan in 2018 via the Attari-Wagah border, where he received terrorist training. He allegedly returned to Jammu and Kashmir covertly last year and has since been aiding cross-border operatives with logistics and Pahalgam attack is being described as the deadliest in the region since the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019. The six attackers, dressed in Army fatigues, reportedly targeted tourists based on their religion. Witnesses say the gunmen asked victims to identify themselves and recite Islamic verses before opening assault, which occurred around 1:30 PM in a heavily patrolled area, killed 26 people—many of them tourists—and left several injured. Survivors described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with gunfire echoing through the usually peaceful meadow ringed by pine forests and snow-capped authorities defend the demolitions as part of counter-terror operations, families of the suspects claim they are being punished without trial. 'We are innocent,' the sister said again, standing amid the rubble of her home. 'They didn't even let me speak to my parents. They just came and destroyed everything.'Security has since been tightened across the region as the manhunt continues for the fugitives. The government has reiterated its commitment to dismantling local support networks for foreign terrorists, even as the emotional fallout from the attack and its aftermath spreads through the Valley.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Time of India
'My brother is Mujahideen', admits sister of the Pahalgam terrorist whose house was demolished in Kashmir
The sister of a terrorist involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack has identified her brother as a " Mujahideen " and accused authorities of punishing innocent family members after their home in Tral was demolished due to an explosion during a search operation. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan suspends Simla pact: What it means & who's affected What is India's defence muscle if it ever has to attack? Can Pakistan afford a full-scale war with India? Speaking to reporters near the ruins of the demolished house, she said, 'My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a Mujahideen, and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws' place, I did not find my parents and siblings at home. Police had taken them away. While I was here, the Security Forces came and asked me to move to a neighbour's house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolished… We are innocent. They have destroyed our house.' — ANI (@ANI) The woman is the sister of Adil Hussain Thokar , also known as Adil Guree, a local terrorist from Anantnag district who has been named by authorities as one of the key conspirators in the Pahalgam attack. Officials say Thokar is affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and helped plan the massacre alongside Pakistani operatives. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Under Construction Homes With ROI Upside Chandiwala Builders Get Offer Undo Houses destroyed in explosive search operation The family's home in Tral was one of two buildings reduced to rubble on Thursday night. The second belonged to another local man suspected of terror links. According to officials, the explosions took place during a search operation for alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh. Authorities claim the homes contained explosives that went off while being examined by security personnel. Reward announced for fugitives The Anantnag Police has announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for credible information leading to the arrest of Adil Hussain Thokar, along with two other Lashkar terrorists identified as Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. All three are accused of playing central roles in orchestrating the deadly assault in Baisaran, a tourist meadow about seven kilometres from Pahalgam. Live Events You Might Also Like: Pahalgam attack: Homes of two terrorists likely involved in Pahalgam massacre destroyed in blast Investigators say Thokar legally visited Pakistan in 2018 via the Attari-Wagah border, where he received terrorist training. He allegedly returned to Jammu and Kashmir covertly last year and has since been aiding cross-border operatives with logistics and planning. Attack that shocked Kashmir The Pahalgam attack is being described as the deadliest in the region since the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019. The six attackers, dressed in Army fatigues, reportedly targeted tourists based on their religion. Witnesses say the gunmen asked victims to identify themselves and recite Islamic verses before opening fire. The assault, which occurred around 1:30 PM in a heavily patrolled area, killed 26 people—many of them tourists—and left several injured. Survivors described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with gunfire echoing through the usually peaceful meadow ringed by pine forests and snow-capped peaks. Aftermath and growing outrage While authorities defend the demolitions as part of counter-terror operations, families of the suspects claim they are being punished without trial. 'We are innocent,' the sister said again, standing amid the rubble of her home. 'They didn't even let me speak to my parents. They just came and destroyed everything.' You Might Also Like: India doesn't have any tech edge over Pakistan, warns Gul Panag's father who fought Kargil war amid retaliation calls after Pahalgam Security has since been tightened across the region as the manhunt continues for the fugitives. The government has reiterated its commitment to dismantling local support networks for foreign terrorists, even as the emotional fallout from the attack and its aftermath spreads through the Valley.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Time of India
In Pahalgam terror attack, one Adil drew blood, another shed it saving others
NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 people, two men sharing the name ' Adil Hussain ' have emerged at the centre of contrasting narratives. One, Adil Hussain Thokar, is a wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba operative accused of helping execute the brutal assault. The other, Syed Adil Hussain Shah , a humble pony handler from a nearby village, is being hailed as a hero who may have died trying to stop the attackers. As security forces hunt for the masterminds, Shah's family and community are mourning a young man remembered for his quiet bravery. LeT's Adil Hussain Thokar: From Pakistan Training to Orchestrating Terror in Pahalgam Adil Hussain Thokar, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative believed to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, had allegedly travelled to Pakistan legally in 2018 via the Attari-Wagah border, where officials say he received arms training before slipping back into Jammu and Kashmir last year. According to intelligence sources, Thokar played a key logistical role in the April 22 attack, acting as a guide and providing local support to the Pakistani terrorists who ambushed tourists in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam. Security forces, while conducting search operations for Thokar and another LeT member Asif Sheikh, reported that explosives planted inside the homes they raided detonated, destroying the structures. No immediate casualties from the blast were confirmed. Authorities have announced a reward of ?20 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of three LeT militants: Adil Hussain Thokar, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa. All three are suspected of orchestrating the attack, which left 26 civilians—25 Indian nationals and one Nepali tourist—dead, and several others injured. Eyewitnesses described chaos as heavily armed gunmen emerged from surrounding forests and opened fire on unsuspecting visitors. Local Pony Handler Adil Hussain Shah Remembered as Braveheart Who Tried to Save Tourists While one Adil is on the run, another, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was laid to rest on Wednesday in the village of Hapat Nar, roughly 20 km from the site of the attack. A daily-wage pony handler in his 30s, Shah was the only local civilian killed in the shooting and is being remembered as a possible hero who may have tried to shield tourists from the gunfire. Survivors recounted how Shah attempted to wrestle a rifle from one of the terrorists during the carnage at Baisaran. Though he didn't survive, many believe his actions may have prevented more deaths. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah attended the funeral and called on the government to support Shah's family. 'He tried to stop the attack. We've heard he was targeted after he tried to snatch a terrorist's rifle. I've come here to assure the family that the government will stand by them and help in every way possible,' Abdullah said. Shah is survived by his father Syed Haider Hussain Shah, mother Bibi Jaan, and sisters. His family said he had been working tirelessly to save money for his sisters' weddings. 'We didn't know anything until the evening. My younger son Nowshad said Adil wasn't answering his phone. Later, we were told he was among the dead,' Haider recalled, still in disbelief. While locals honour Shah's bravery, some security officials have urged caution. 'We've heard the accounts, but the exact sequence of events is still being verified,' said a senior security officer familiar with the ongoing investigation.
United News of India
25-04-2025
- United News of India
Houses of 2 local LeT demolished in south Kashmir
Srinagar, Apr 25 (UNI) The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, who were believed to be behind the deadly Pahalgam attack on tourists, have been demolished in south Kashmir, official sources and local residents said on Friday. They said the houses of Asif Sheikh, of the Monaghama area of Tral Pulwama, and Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag were blasted during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. However, a senior police officer said a house in Tral was badly damaged due to the presence of some explosive material present. The police officer said in Tral, during the searches by security forces, some suspicious objects were observed. 'Security forces sensed danger and swiftly retracted for safety, but there was a huge blast in which the house got badly damaged. It seems that some suspicious explosive material was present,' they said. Police on Thursday had released sketches of three attackers and identified them as Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag and two Pakistanis, Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi and Hashim Musa alias Suleman. Police also announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for each of the three attackers. In one of the deadliest terror attacks in J&K, 25 tourists and a local resident were shot dead on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. UNI MJR ARN
