Latest news with #AdilThokar
India Today
28-04-2025
- India Today
How reelmaker for honeymooners shot video of Pahalgam attack from atop tree
He was popular for making reels of honeymooners and tourists at Baisaran meadow, but no one ever thought that he would end up capturing the massacre of 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22. The local photographer was atop a tree when the terrorists began shooting people from point-blank range and managed to capture vital footage as the attack unfolded. The photographer has emerged as a crucial witness in the Pahalgam terror attack being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and his identity isn't being divulged to shield videos shot by the reel-maker are going to provide investigators with critical leads, helping them reconstruct the timeline and work toward identifying the terrorists meadow is popular with tourists, especially honeymooners and newly-weds. The seclusion of the spot offers tranquillity. The photographer was known for making videos and reels for couples and honeymooners visiting the picturesque meadow, according to CNBC TV the footage he shot from atop the tree on April 22 might prove to be a key asset as NIA sleuths investigate the attack in which terrorists killed 26 people in Pahalgam, Southern photographer ran for his life as the terrorists started shooting people, and climbed a tall tree, according to kept recording all the events as he ran for his life, and then from perched on the photographer has become a key NIA witness in the case and the agency is reportedly going through the videos for clues about the terrorists and if there were others who helped them, according to EMERGED FROM BEHIND SHOPS AT BAISARAN MEADOWThe National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun the formal process of taking over the investigation on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Senior NIA officials have been supervising teams at the site since April 23, intensifying the search for investigations so far have also pieced together that the terrorists trekked nearly 20 to 22 hours through harsh, mountainous terrain, starting from the Kokernag forests and reaching the Baisaran valley, where they carried out the deadly assault. It has also revealed how the terrorists emerged from behind nearby shops, ordering victims to recite the Kalma before shooting four people dead at point-blank range, according to sudden act of brutality triggered panic, with tourists running in all directions for safety. Simultaneously, two other terrorists opened fire from near the zipline area, intensifying the mobile phones, one belonging to a tourist, another to a local resident, were snatched by the terrorists during the attack, sources said. Four attackers were involved in the deadly attacks: three Pakistani terrorists and one local terrorist, Adil Thokar, sources terror attack victims included tourists such as an Indian Navy officer who had been married only four days before and was on his honeymoon with his Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, was shot dead by terrorists while he was enjoying his first trip with his wife to Pahalgam."We were just having bhelpuri... and then he shot my husband. The gunman said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot him," the officer's wife said in a trembling voice."He was married four days ago. Everybody was happy," the deceased's neighbour, Naresh Bansal, told ANI. "We have received the information that he was killed by terrorists, and he died on the spot. He was an officer in the Navy."The attack also took the lives of many others who had merely come to enjoy the beauty of photographer and his videos might be of immense help to the NIA as its officers piece together and try to get more information into the Pahalgam attack and those behind InMust Watch
India Today
27-04-2025
- India Today
Terrorists trekked 22 hours through rough terrain for Pahalgam attack: Sources
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 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 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 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 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 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 are meticulously examining eyewitnesses to reconstruct the events and closely scrutinising the entry and exit points in the valley to understand the terrorists' modus 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 InMust Watch
News18
27-04-2025
- News18
Baisaran Reels Videographer, Who Recorded Entire Pahalgam Attack, Is NIA's Key Witness
Last Updated: 'This local photographer ran for his life when firing began and perched himself on a tree. But he kept videographing the entire terror attack,' a senior official told News18 A local videographer, who filmed reels for tourists in Baisaran, has emerged as a key witness for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which began its probe into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, News18 has exclusively learnt. Officials revealed that the local photographer captured the entire terror attack as it unfolded. 'This local photographer ran for his life when firing began and perched himself on a tree to escape the bullets. But he kept videographing the event as it unfolded and recorded the entire terror attack," a senior official told CNN-News18. The NIA has questioned the videographer and is analysing the videos he shot to identify the terrorists and possible overground workers (OGWs) who may have assisted them. Initial investigations have indicated that four terrorists divided into two groups and fired from two sides of the meadow. According to eyewitness accounts, two gunmen were stationed near snack shops selling refreshments. 'Around 2:30 pm, two terrorists hiding behind the shops emerged. They first asked the non-locals snacking there for their religion. A few were asked to recite the kalma; those who couldn't were killed," the officer said. The NIA believes this was not indiscriminate firing, as initially suspected. 'They took specific aim at the head of each identified victim," agency officials said. Panic, according to survivors, erupted when the first two terrorists fatally shot four tourists in the head. The other two terrorists then emerged from the vicinity of the zip line and began firing at the fleeing crowd. PHONES SNATCHED The terrorists also reportedly seized two mobile phones, one belonging to a tourist and the other to a local. Agencies are tracking both phones, as they could provide crucial evidence regarding the terrorists' current location or movements. However, sources revealed that both devices have been switched off since the incident. The NIA has also recovered empty cartridges of AK-47 and M4 rifles. 'M4s have been used by Pakistani terrorists since the Afghan war ended, serving as further proof of who is behind this," an intelligence agency official commented. LOCAL TERRORIST IDENTIFIED Investigative teams believe that at least one of the four terrorists involved was a local, Adil Thokar. According to the JK police dossier, Thokar was radicalised and joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018. He allegedly crossed over to Pakistan on valid documents, leaving Hizbul Mujahideen to join Lashkar-e-Taiba. After training with Lashkar, he reportedly returned to the Valley in 2024. It is alleged that Thokar has since assisted Pakistani terrorists with logistics and even acted as a guide in other terror attacks.
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Business Standard
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
LIVE News: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC, India retaliates amid rising tensions
The Pakistani military carried out unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on the night of April 25–26, prompting a firm response from Indian troops, military sources said on Saturday. This marked the second consecutive night of cross-border firing, following a similar incident on Thursday. Several Pakistan Army posts engaged in small arms fire targeting Indian positions along the LoC. 'Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms,' one of the sources said, adding that no casualties were reported on the Indian side. The exchanges come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The attack, for which The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, has sharply escalated hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. In the wake of the attack, India has vowed to track down and eliminate those responsible. In response, Pakistan's military has been placed on high alert. While there has been no official statement from the Ministry of Defence, the ongoing exchange of fire signals a further deterioration in bilateral ties. Earlier, the houses of two suspects involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were demolished by security forces and Jammu and Kashmir authorities, officials said. Zakir Ahmad Ganie's house in Kulgam district was razed on Saturday. He has reportedly been active since 2023. Earlier, the house of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Adil Thokar alias Adil Guree was also demolished in Bijbehara, Anantnag. Guree, who illegally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 for terror training, is accused of involvement in the April 22 attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national. He has been declared most wanted, with a ₹20 lakh reward announced for information.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Time of India
Who is Adil Thokar? Most wanted behind the Pahalgam terror attack
Who is Adil Thokar? Most wanted behind the Pahalgam terror attack NEW DELHI: India on April 22 saw a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people including a foreigner. Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Asif Shaikh and Adil Thokar , also known as Adil Guree, have been declared the most wanted terrorists in connection with the Pahalgam attack on tourists. Six foreign terrorists , dressed in Army uniforms, executed victims at close range, reportedly after forcing them to recite Islamic verses and reveal their names, revealed eyewitnesses. On Friday, the houses of both Adil and Asif were demolished after the attack marked one of the deadliest strikes since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Who is Adil Thokar(alais Adil Guree)? Adil is a resident of Guree village in the Bijbehara block of Anantnag district . Along with two other LeT operatives, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa, Thokar is suspected of orchestrating the Pahalgam killings. The three reportedly used code names, Moosa, Yunus and Asif, during the attack to mask their identities. The Anantnag Police has announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to his capture. Thokar had legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 through the Attari-Wagah land border and received terror training before infiltrating back into Jammu and Kashmir last year. He had remained under the radar after returning and didn't engage in any overt operation, though security agencies reportedly spotted him in South Kashmir on a few occasions. A source told TOI that Thokar was familiar with the forested terrain of Baisaran in Pahalgam and is believed to have played the role of a guide for the Pakistani terrorists. He likely helped them navigate the area, arrange a hideout in the forest, conduct reconnaissance over several days and plan both the execution and the escape route for the attackers.
