Adil Ahmed Thoker, one of the main accused behind the brutal attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, had a long and secretive journey leading up to the massacre. The attack left 26 people dead, including tourists, a local pony operator, and two security personnel. Intelligence sources have now pieced together the path Thoker took — from his small village in Kashmir to terrorist training camps in Pakistan and back.
Journey from Gurre Village to Pakistan
In 2018, Adil Ahmed Thoker left his home in Gurre village, located in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. He travelled to Pakistan on a student visa. However, intelligence officials revealed that even before leaving India, Thoker had already shown clear signs of radicalisation.
According to sources, Thoker was in touch with banned terrorist organisations operating across the border. These groups include Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a well-known Pakistan-based terror outfit responsible for several attacks in India.
After reaching Pakistan, Thoker completely cut off all communication with his family. Intelligence agencies, who were tracking his digital activities, lost his trail within months. Separate surveillance around his home village also failed to find any leads.
During his time in Pakistan, officials believe Thoker received extensive ideological and military training. He reportedly came under the control of terrorist handlers linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, preparing for future attacks against India.
How Thoker Returned to India
By late 2024, Thoker resurfaced — but this time, inside India. According to intelligence reports, he crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in October 2024.
Thoker used the Poonch-Rajouri sector, a rugged, mountainous area full of dense forests. This region has long been exploited by terrorists for illegal crossings due to its difficult terrain and limited patrolling.
Thoker was not alone. He infiltrated India with three to four terrorists, including a Pakistani national, Hashim Musa, also known by the alias Suleman. Musa is another key suspect in the Pahalgam massacre.
Sources say Thoker helped Musa and others cross the LoC and later guided them through secret forest routes. They were briefly spotted in Kishtwar before vanishing into the hills towards Anantnag, using older terrorist pathways through areas like Tral.
Hiding, Planning, and Preparing for Attack
Once back in Kashmir, Thoker and his group went underground. They avoided cities and instead hid in remote villages and forest encampments.
During this time, intelligence inputs suggest Thoker reconnected with dormant terror cells that had been inactive for years. He reportedly looked for a major target that would cause heavy casualties and draw international media attention.
Coincidentally, Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot, was reopening after the conclusion of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Tourist activities had resumed from March 2025. Officials believe this tourist influx presented Thoker with the perfect chance to strike.
How the Attack at Baisaran Meadow Happened
On April 22, around 1:50 PM, Thoker and his team emerged from the dense pine forests surrounding Baisaran. Armed with assault rifles, they moved swiftly towards areas crowded with tourists.
Eyewitnesses and survivors shared chilling details. The attackers asked some people about their religion and forced some to recite Islamic verses. Those who failed or hesitated were shot at point-blank range, often in the head, indicating a strategy to maximize fatalities quickly.
Security officials said the attackers split into smaller groups, targeting three different zones inside the meadow. The entire assault lasted less than ten minutes. By the time help arrived, most victims were already dead.
In total, 25 tourists, one local pony operator, and two security personnel — one from the Indian Navy and one from the Intelligence Bureau — lost their lives in the massacre.
Who Are the Main Suspects?
The Jammu and Kashmir Police named Adil Ahmed Thoker as one of the three principal accused. The other two are:
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Hashim Musa alias Suleman (Pakistani national)
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Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai (Pakistani national)
Police released sketches of all three suspects. They also announced a ₹20 lakh reward for any information that could lead to their arrest.
Major Crackdown by Security Forces
Following the attack, security forces launched a district-wide search operation across Anantnag, Pahalgam, and surrounding forests.
On Thursday night, security teams blew up the houses of Adil Ahmed Thoker and Asif Sheikh (another accused from Tral), after finding explosives hidden inside. Officials believe these explosives were either meant for future attacks or were used to booby-trap the hideouts against raids.
Asif Sheikh is currently being investigated. Officials suspect he may have provided logistical or technical support to the attackers, though his exact role is still unclear.
