The horrific Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, not only resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives but also triggered an immediate and intensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Understanding who orchestrated and carried out this act of terror is crucial for ensuring justice for the victims, preventing future attacks, and formulating effective counter-terrorism strategies.
While the investigation is ongoing, emerging evidence and intelligence point towards the involvement of specific Pakistan-based terrorist organizations and their proxies operating in the region.
Initial Claims and Conflicting Narratives
In the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, a relatively lesser-known group calling itself “The Resistance Front” (TRF) initially claimed responsibility. The TRF is believed by many security agencies to be a front organization for established Pakistan-based terror groups, primarily Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This initial claim often serves as a tactic by these larger organizations to avoid direct international scrutiny and sanctions.
However, within days, the TRF retracted its claim of responsibility. This retraction could be attributed to several factors, including the intense international condemnation of the attack, particularly the targeting of civilians based on their religious identity, which may have been counterproductive to their broader goals.
Mounting Evidence Against Pakistan-Based Groups
Despite the initial claim and subsequent retraction by the TRF, the investigation has increasingly pointed towards the direct involvement of established terror groups with deep roots in Pakistan, specifically Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and potentially Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), often with the backing and support of elements within the Pakistani establishment.
Eyewitness Accounts: Some eyewitness accounts from survivors indicated that the terrorists spoke Urdu with an accent specific to certain regions of Pakistan, suggesting the presence of foreign operatives among the attackers.
Intelligence Inputs: Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly gathered significant technical and human intelligence pointing towards the planning and execution of the attack by LeT operatives, possibly in coordination with JeM elements. This intelligence often includes intercepted communications and the identification of key figures involved in orchestrating the attack from across the border.
Links to Past Attacks: Investigators are exploring potential links between the Pahalgam attackers and those involved in previous terror incidents in the region, which have been attributed to LeT and JeM. This includes analyzing modus operandi and the profiles of known terrorists operating in the area.
Identification of Key Suspects: Reports have named specific Pakistani nationals, allegedly affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, as key suspects who were actively involved in planning and executing the Pahalgam attack. These individuals are believed to have infiltrated into the region weeks before the incident and were in constant communication with handlers in Pakistan.
Role of Overground Workers (OGWs): The investigation has also uncovered a network of local Overground Workers (OGWs) in the Kashmir Valley who allegedly provided logistical support, including shelter, reconnaissance, and facilitating the movement of the attackers. These OGWs are believed to have been working at the behest of the Pakistan-based terror groups.
Forensic Evidence: Analysis of the weapons and ammunition recovered from the attack site may provide further clues about the origin and affiliation of the perpetrators. Ballistic and chemical analysis of cartridges can sometimes link them to specific terror groups or even state-sponsored entities.
Sleeper Cell Involvement: Former operatives of terror sleeper cells in the region have suggested that an attack of this nature would likely require the assistance of local sleeper cells for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering on security presence, and logistical support. This highlights the intricate network that Pakistan-based groups often cultivate within Jammu and Kashmir.
The Modus Operandi: A Pattern of Terror
The Pahalgam attack bore the hallmarks of previous attacks carried out by LeT and JeM in the region:
Targeting Civilians: A deliberate focus on attacking unarmed civilians, particularly tourists, to maximize casualties and generate widespread fear and disruption.
Sophisticated Weaponry: The use of assault rifles like M4 carbines and AK-47s indicates access to advanced weaponry, often supplied from across the border.
Military-Style Uniforms: The attackers reportedly wearing military-style uniforms is a common tactic used by these groups to blend in or create confusion.
Religious Targeting: The horrific reports of the terrorists specifically asking victims for their religion and targeting Hindus underscore the radical Islamist ideology driving these groups and their intent to sow communal discord.
Claims and Retractions: The initial claim by a front group followed by a retraction is a familiar tactic used to obfuscate the direct involvement of LeT and JeM.
Pakistan’s Role: Aiding and Abetting?
India has consistently maintained that Pakistan harbors and supports these terrorist organizations, providing them with training, funding, and logistical assistance. While Pakistan routinely denies these allegations, the evidence gathered in the Pahalgam attack investigation is likely to further strengthen India’s claims in the international arena. The involvement of Pakistani nationals with reported links to LeT and the alleged coordination with handlers across the border directly implicate elements within Pakistan.
International Condemnation and Pressure
The Pahalgam attack has drawn strong condemnation from the international community, with many nations and organizations urging Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has reportedly questioned Pakistan about the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the attack, further isolating Islamabad on the issue of cross-border terrorism.
The Pursuit of Justice: Holding Perpetrators Accountable
The investigation into the Pahalgam attack is not just about identifying the individuals who carried out the violence; it is also about dismantling the larger network that supports and enables such acts of terror. This includes:
Apprehending the Attackers: Security forces are actively engaged in tracking down the terrorists involved in the attack, utilizing all available intelligence and resources.
Dismantling OGW Networks: Identifying and neutralizing the local OGWs who provided support to the attackers is crucial for disrupting the terror network.
Targeting Leadership: Efforts are underway to target the leadership of LeT and JeM, who are believed to be the masterminds behind such attacks.
International Pressure on Pakistan: India is likely to continue to exert diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to take verifiable action against terrorist groups operating within its borders.
Conclusion: The Shadow of Cross-Border Terrorism
The Pahalgam terror attack serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The ongoing investigation strongly suggests the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba, potentially in coordination with Jaish-e-Mohammed, with evidence pointing towards the presence of Pakistani nationals and the support of local facilitators.
Unmasking the perpetrators and holding them accountable is a critical step in ensuring justice for the victims and preventing future tragedies. The international community’s growing recognition of Pakistan’s role in fostering these terror groups may lead to increased pressure on Islamabad to dismantle these networks and contribute to regional peace and stability.
The shadows of terror cast a long pall, but the resolve to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice remains unwavering.