NEW DELHI: The horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead, was reportedly carried out under the direct orders of Pakistan’s political and military leadership. Intelligence inputs have indicated that the operation was coordinated by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI in collaboration with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and was designed to mirror the scale and secrecy of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
In a chilling detail, the attackers specifically targeted civilians at the popular Baisaran meadows after identifying their religion. The assailants, all Pakistani nationals, were selected to ensure maximum operational secrecy. No local militants were involved in the execution, reportedly to keep the plot tightly controlled and undisclosed.
The operation was reportedly spearheaded by Sulaiman, believed to be a former Pakistani special forces commando who had been involved in training LeT recruits at their Muridke headquarters in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Sulaiman infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir in 2022 and remained underground in the region for nearly two years. He is believed to have been in the Tral forest on April 15, a week before the attack, and in the vicinity of Baisaran meadows in the days leading up to the assault, as confirmed by satellite phone tracking.
Two other Pakistani terrorists were also part of the strike team, though their identities remain classified. Sulaiman is also suspected to have been involved in the deadly April 2023 ambush on an Indian Army truck in Poonch, in which five Indian soldiers lost their lives.
Earlier, investigators considered the possibility of involvement by Pakistani militants Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai. However, the current investigation has only confirmed Sulaiman’s role. There is no verified evidence linking any local militant, including Adil Hussain Thoker, to the planning or execution of the attack.
Two local men from Pahalgam—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar—have been arrested by authorities for providing logistical support, including food and shelter, to the attackers. Their role is believed to be minor, and both claimed they were unaware of the terrorists’ plans. They allegedly received a small sum of money in return for their assistance.
In response to the massacre, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. Over the course of four days, Indian forces targeted and eliminated over 100 terrorists, striking back at terror infrastructure and airbases across the border. The operation concluded on May 10 and is seen as a strong message against state-sponsored terrorism.
The attack has once again brought global attention to the ongoing threat of cross-border terrorism and raised serious concerns about the direct involvement of a neighboring state in orchestrating mass civilian killings. As investigations continue, security agencies are tightening surveillance and strengthening counter-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir.
