Security forces on Wednesday released a photograph of the four terrorists behind the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 28 tourists, marking the deadliest assault in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike. According to intelligence inputs, two of the attackers are Pakistani nationals.
All four terrorists are said to be associated with The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The TRF has officially claimed responsibility for the brutal attack. One of the assailants has been identified as Asif Fauji. Security agencies also unveiled sketches of three of the terrorists, while an earlier image showed one holding an AK-47 rifle.
The terrorists reportedly emerged in the meadow area around 2:30 pm. Several videos capturing the moment of the attack are now circulating widely on social media. Eyewitnesses claimed that the gunmen deliberately targeted Hindu tourists during the assault.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi early Wednesday. Upon arrival, he chaired a high-level security meeting at the airport. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site in Baisaran meadows and met with victims and their families.
The death toll rose to 28 after two critically injured tourists from Pune succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday. Security forces continue to track down the attackers as the nation reels from yet another act of cross-border terror.
