New Delhi: The terrorists responsible for the deadly attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley on April 22 had received specialized military training in Pakistan, sources confirmed. This high-level training, provided by Pakistan’s Special Service Group (SSG), enabled them to carry out their terror activities more effectively in Jammu and Kashmir.
The revelation came through information gathered during the interrogation of several terrorists already detained by Indian authorities. One of the terrorists, Hashim Musa, a key figure in the attack, was identified as a former para-commando in Pakistan’s SSG. Musa later joined the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been involved in several attacks across the region.
According to security sources, Musa entered India in 2023 and has since participated in at least six terror attacks, including the October 2024 attack in Ganderbal that claimed the lives of seven individuals, and the Baramullah attack that killed four security personnel. Authorities suspect that Musa is currently hiding in the forests of South Kashmir, prompting a large-scale operation to locate and apprehend him. The Jammu and Kashmir police have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information that leads to his capture, assuring that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.
Sources further stated that all the terrorists involved in the attack, including Musa, had been trained in Pakistan and are linked to terror organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The attack, which occurred in the scenic Baisaran Valley, known as “Mini Switzerland”, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepali national, and left several others injured. The valley, a popular tourist destination with rolling hills and lush orchards, was targeted by multiple terrorists who opened fire on unsuspecting visitors. Eyewitnesses reported widespread panic as tourists tried to flee, but the open terrain provided no place for cover.
In response to the attack, Indian security forces have launched extensive search operations to track down those involved. The Indian government has also taken significant diplomatic actions against Pakistan, including the indefinite suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of all Pakistani nationals residing in India.
Intelligence sources suggest the motive behind the attack was to cause widespread destruction and fear in the Kashmir Valley. This incident is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
