Security agencies have uncovered significant leads in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians mostly tourists, after interrogating Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists held in Jammu and Kashmir prisons.
Sources told Times Now that during questioning by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) inside jail premises, the detained militants named their “masters,” further strengthening claims of Pakistan’s direct involvement in the brutal assault. The revelations pointed to specialised military training provided to the attackers in Pakistan.
According to officials, the terrorists were not only trained in executing high-casualty attacks but also received instructions on constructing hideouts in mountainous terrain and surviving for extended durations in hostile environments. Recent recoveries of terror hideouts in the region further validate these claims.
One of the key attackers in the Baisaran meadow strike was reportedly a former para commando from Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group (SSG), who was “loaned” to the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Identified as Musa, he is suspected of being active in the region for over a year and allegedly played a role in at least three other attacks targeting security personnel and non-locals.
The NIA has also obtained intelligence about the exact locations of terror hideouts scattered across the Kashmir Valley, deepening concerns about an entrenched network still operational.
Terror Alert Sounded Across J&K Jails Amid Fresh Threat
Following these explosive revelations, authorities have issued a terror alert for several Jammu and Kashmir jails that house high-profile terrorists. Intelligence inputs have warned of a possible attack aimed at disrupting ongoing counter-terror operations.
Security has been tightened significantly at key installations, government buildings, and tourist hotspots in and around Srinagar. Sensitive areas such as Dachigam National Park and high-footfall hotels have also come under enhanced surveillance.
High-security prisons like Srinagar’s Central Jail and Kot Balwal Jail in Jammu have undergone thorough security reviews. Officials say these facilities accommodate hardcore terrorists and sleeper cell operatives who are known to provide logistical aid and shelter to active militants.
On Sunday, the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which took over the security of J&K prisons from the CRPF in October 2023, visited Srinagar to assess the emerging threat landscape and strategize with senior law enforcement personnel.
Intelligence sources further suggest that several more terrorists could still be hiding in South Kashmir’s dense forests. Reports indicate that during the Pahalgam attack, some militants may have been deployed in advance to provide cover-fire in case security forces launched a swift counter-operation.
