National

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Authorities Identify Five Terrorists, Including Three Pakistan Nationals and Two Locals from Kashmir

Published

11 months ago

April 24, 2025

Authorities have identified five terrorists involved in the brutal attack near Pahalgam town, which marks one of the most significant terror incidents in the region in nearly two decades. Among the suspects are three Pakistani nationals and two residents from Jammu and Kashmir. Investigative agencies revealed the names of the Pakistani individuals as Asif Fauji (operating under the code name Moosa), Suleman Shah (code name Yunus), and Abu Talha (code name Asif), according to sources close to the investigation.

Additionally, two local operatives from the Kashmir Valley have been identified: Adil Guri from Bijbehara in Anantnag, who traveled to Pakistan in 2018, and Ahsan from Pulwama, who also went to Pakistan that same year. The investigation indicates that these local operatives received extensive training in Pakistan before infiltrating back into India. Notably, Fauji and Shah had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for some time and were implicated in previous attacks, including one in Poonch.

Witness accounts reveal that during the assault in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, the attackers demanded that civilians, particularly men, demonstrate their faith by reciting Islamic prayers or displaying physical indicators such as circumcision.

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities have released sketches of three suspects and have offered a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their capture. One of the attackers has been identified as Moosa, who may also have been linked to the May 2024 assault on an Indian Air Force convoy in Poonch.

Investigators face challenges due to the absence of CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the Baisaran meadow, which means they are relying largely on the testimonies of survivors. It is believed that the assailants escaped to the higher regions of the Pir Panjal mountains following the attack.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, led by Inspector General Vijay Sakhare, is currently in Srinagar to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Officials stated that the federal anti-terror agency has assumed control of the probe, with support from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Authorities are also examining the involvement of Saifullah Kasuri, a deputy of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. A video released on social media shows Kasuri announcing on February 2 that “Kashmir will become ‘the land of the pure’ by February 2, 2026,” and warned that the Mujahideen would ramp up their attacks, resulting in the liberation of Kashmir.

National

UP Teen Dies in Street Racing Crash In Lucknow

Published

7 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A 17-year-old Class 12 student died in a road accident during a street race in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.

The victim, Naitik Kumar, was riding a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 with a group of bikers near Janeshwar Mishra Park. While racing, he suddenly lost control of his bike after hitting something on the road.

His bike crashed into a Honda Activa in front of him. He then fell onto a road divider and suffered serious head injuries.

The Activa slid across the road and hit another bike, a Kawasaki Ninja, which was moving at high speed. The Ninja rider was adjusting his action camera when the accident happened.

Naitik Kumar was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead. Police said he was not wearing proper protective gear.

Two others involved in the accident suffered minor injuries. Police are checking CCTV footage to find the exact cause of the crash.

National

BCM Hostel Manager Dies by Suicide

Published

13 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Hassan: A hostel manager working under the Backward Classes Welfare Department died by suicide in Channarayapatna of Hassan district.

The deceased has been identified as Lokesh (45). He had been serving as a warden for two hostels in Guddenahalli, Hassan, and was recently promoted as a hostel manager a few days ago. Following the promotion, he was posted as the manager of the BCM hostel in Channarayapatna.

According to reports, Lokesh allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself at his residence on Saturday night.

The exact reason for his suicide is not yet known. Local police visited the spot, conducted a preliminary inspection, and have begun an investigation into the incident.