In a strong response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has intensified its crackdown on terrorism, demolishing the homes of several terrorists across the Valley.

On Saturday, the house of Shahid Ahmed Kuttey was razed by security forces in Chotipora village of Shopian. This action follows similar demolitions carried out on Friday night in Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama, targeting residences linked to active terrorists.

Authorities revealed that the houses belonged to operatives of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group. During the search operations inside the homes of two identified LeT terrorists — Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh — explosives planted inside triggered blasts, causing significant damage. Both individuals had ties to Pakistan and received terror training across the border.

Adil Hussain Thoker had illegally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 for training and returned to the Valley last year. Similarly, Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh, another LeT terrorist, was trained in Pakistan the same year and had since been operating in the Kashmir Valley. Both of their houses were destroyed by blasts triggered during search operations.

Another key target was the house of Haris Ahmad, an LeT terrorist active since 2023. His residence in Kachipora, Pulwama, was also demolished in an explosion believed to be caused by hidden explosives.

The crackdown comes amid heightened security measures in the region. On Friday, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi made his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack. During his review, General Dwivedi was briefed on counter-terror operations and the Pakistani Army's continued attempts to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC).

Officials assert that the demolition of terrorist properties sends a clear message to anti-national elements and their handlers across the border. The ongoing operations are part of a larger strategy to dismantle the terror infrastructure embedded within civilian areas and disrupt sleeper cells.