PoK-Based Terrorist Played Key Role In Pahalgam Attack, Farooq Ahmad’s Sleeper Cells Helped Terrorists

New Delhi: The network of top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Farooq Ahmad played a key role in helping the Pakistan-based terrorists carry out the attack in Pahalgam, according to National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources.

Ahmad, currently believed to be in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has played a key role in orchestrating multiple terror attacks in Kashmir over the past two years through his sleeper cell network. Among these, the Pahalgam attack, which left 25 tourists and a Kashmiri dead, has been identified as the most significant.

Sources also said that Ahmad has been facilitating infiltration into Kashmir from three sectors in Pakistan. The elusive Lashkar commander is known to have extensive knowledge of the mountainous routes of the Valley. One of the deadliest in Kashmir in recent years, was carried out by three terrorists in the scenic Baisaran valley, sources said. A fourth terrorist might also have been present in the forests surrounding the tourist spot.

Police released the sketches of three terrorists behind the attack and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to their arrest. While the two Pakistani terrorists have been identified as Ali Bhai alias Talha and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman. Thoker travelled to Pakistan in 2018 and received training in terror camps before infiltrating back into Jammu and Kashmir sometime last year.