India has taken a major step in its mission to neutralize those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack by eliminating top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora on Friday.
Joint Operation Targets LeT Hideout
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation in Bandipora early Friday. Security personnel established contact with terrorists, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the initial firefight, one terrorist was believed to have sustained injuries.
Two police personnel, part of a senior officer’s personal security detail, were also injured in the encounter.
Army Chief Reviews Operation in Srinagar
Amid escalating security measures, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar on Friday. He received a detailed briefing on the Bandipora operation and is expected to carry out a comprehensive review of the overall security situation.
Homes of Terrorists Demolished in Anantnag and Tral
As part of the broader crackdown on suspects linked to the Pahalgam attack, security forces demolished the homes of two identified terrorists. The residence of Lashkar operative Adil Hussain Thoker in Bijbehara was destroyed using explosives, while another belonging to Asif Sheikh in Tral was bulldozed.
Authorities believe Thoker played a vital role in facilitating Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam assault that claimed 26 lives.
Rewards Announced for Key Suspects
The Anantnag Police has announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for any information leading to the capture of Adil Thoker and two Pakistani nationals — Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa — believed to be among the attackers. Their sketches have been released to aid the manhunt.
Attackers Disguised in Army Uniforms
According to survivors of the April 22 attack in Baisaran Valley, 4-5 terrorists emerged from dense pine forests and began shooting with AK-47 rifles. Dressed in military fatigues, they reportedly checked IDs to identify non-Muslim tourists and executed them at point-blank range.
This assault is considered one of the deadliest in the region since Pulwama in 2019. Security forces continue to hunt the remaining attackers and collaborators involved in orchestrating the gruesome Pahalgam massacre.
