J&K Authorities Raze Homes of Terrorists Linked to Deadly Pahalgam Attack

In a decisive move against terrorism, the Jammu and Kashmir administration demolished the residences of three terrorists implicated in the recent Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. The operation, carried out over Thursday and Friday nights, targeted the homes of Adil Hussain Thoker, Asif Sheikh, and Ahsan Sheikh, located in Anantnag, Awantipora, and Pulwama, respectively, as part of a broader strategy to curb local support for militant activities.

According to officials , the demolitions were conducted discreetly, with authorities ensuring that no family members were present in the houses at the time. Sources indicated that the families had vacated the premises in advance, taking essential belongings, suggesting they may have been aware of the impending action. This marks a continuation of the administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, as articulated by a J&K government official who emphasized the intent to send a strong message to both terrorists and their supporters.

Adil Hussain Thoker, also known as Adil Guree, legally traveled to Pakistan in 2018 via the Attari-Wagah border, where he underwent terror training before returning to Kashmir last year. He is believed to have facilitated logistics and guided two Pakistani terrorists, Hashim Musa and Ali Talha, along with local operative Asif Sheikh, in the Pahalgam attack. Asif Sheikh, a prominent terrorist active in Tral, Pulwama, and Kulgam, was familiar with the local terrain and escape routes, aiding the assault’s execution. Ahsan Sheikh, a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative based in Pulwama, is said to have provided logistical support for the attack at Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination.

The demolitions follow the April 22 attack, which security agencies attribute to The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The assault, one of the deadliest since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, targeted tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, killing 26 people, including foreigners and an Indian Navy officer. The administration’s actions reflect a commitment to dismantling terror networks and deterring local youth from joining militant groups, with warnings of further consequences for those involved in terrorism.