Houses of Two LeT Terrorists Involved in Pahalgam Attack Demolished in South Kashmir

Srinagar: In a major development following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, the houses of two local Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists — Asif Sheikh and Adil Hussain Thokar — were destroyed in South Kashmir on Thursday. The two are believed to have played key roles in the April 22 massacre at Baisaran meadows, which left 28 people dead, including a local pony guide.

According to officials, the houses were located in Tral (Pulwama) and Bijbihara (Anantnag), respectively. The Jammu and Kashmir Police stated that while security forces were conducting searches inside the residences of the two terrorists, explosives already stored within the premises detonated, causing the destruction.

Adil Thokar, a resident of Bijbihara in Anantnag, has been identified as a prime accused in the attack, while Asif Sheikh from Tral is suspected to have been involved in the planning of the terror operation.

The Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the LeT, targeted tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow. Among the victims were tourists from multiple Indian states, causing national outrage and prompting a multi-agency counter-terror operation across the Kashmir Valley.

In a significant move to intensify the manhunt, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for credible information on the two remaining suspects — believed to be Pakistani nationals. On Wednesday, security agencies released images and sketches of the absconding terrorists, appealing to the public for assistance.

Security forces continue their combing operations across the region, as the Union Territory remains on high alert. Top officials have reiterated the government’s commitment to bring all perpetrators to justice and eliminate cross-border terrorism from the region.

The Pahalgam massacre marks one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in the Valley and has drawn widespread condemnation. Investigations are ongoing, with multiple agencies, including the NIA, collaborating on the case.