Pahalgam Terror Attack: ISI and Lashkar's Joint Plot Kills 26 Innocents in J&K

National News: Security agencies have made a major revelation regarding the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that took place on 22 April. According to the investigation, the attack was the result of a joint conspiracy between Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. The brutal assault claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including several women and children.

ISI Directed Deployment of Only Foreign Terrorists

Sources reveal that the ISI had explicitly instructed Lashkar commander Sajid Jatt to deploy only foreign militants in Jammu and Kashmir to maintain operational secrecy and avoid detection by Indian security forces. No local militants were involved in the execution of the plan. The role of local residents was also kept strictly limited, confined to basic assistance such as shelter and food.

Attack Was Led by a Pakistani Commando Named Suleman

The lead attacker was identified as ‘Suleman,’ a suspected former commando of Pakistan’s Special Forces. Prior to infiltrating India in 2022, he had undergone extensive training at Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke training center in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Satellite phone tracking data confirmed that Suleman was present in the forests of Tral on April 15, indicating his early presence near Baisaran, where the attack was later carried out.

Suleman Was Also Involved in the 2023 Poonch Attack

Security records indicate that Suleman had also participated in the April 2023 terrorist attack on an Indian Army convoy in Poonch, in which five soldiers were killed. After that, he reportedly remained inactive for two years. Two other Pakistani terrorists were involved in the Pahalgam attack, but their identities have not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

Local Aides Provided Shelter and Supplies Only

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently arrested two local residents, Parvez Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for aiding the terrorists. However, agencies believe their involvement was minimal—limited to offering food, shelter, and logistical support. During interrogation, both claimed they had no knowledge of the planned attack on tourists in Baisaran.

68 Foreign Militants Still Active in the Valley

According to official sources, around 68 foreign terrorists and three local operatives are currently active in the Kashmir Valley. While initial suspicions pointed to Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai, their direct involvement has not been confirmed. Similarly, no evidence has emerged linking local terrorist Adil Hussain Thokar to the incident.

A Grim Reminder of State-Sponsored Terrorism

The Pahalgam attack stands as more than just a terror strike—it is a clear indicator of the deep-rooted nexus between Pakistan’s military-intelligence establishment and terrorist groups. This incident not only challenges India’s internal security mechanisms but also underscores that terrorist camps operating in Pakistan remain active and capable of executing mass-casualty attacks on civilians.