Pahalgam Terror Attack: Intelligence Agencies Release Names of 14 Local Terrorists in J&K

Jammu: In a major development following the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, intelligence agencies have released a list of 14 local terrorists who are believed to be actively operating across the Valley. The move is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the network of militants aiding cross-border terrorism.

The identified individuals, aged between 20 and 40 years, are said to be providing logistical and ground-level support to foreign terrorists from Pakistan . According to reports, these operatives are affiliated with three Pakistan-backed outfits—Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The list includes Adil Rehman Dentoo, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh, Haris Nazir, Aamir Nazir Wani, Yawar Ahmed Bhat, Asif Ahmed Khanday, Naseer Ahmed Wani, Shahid Ahmed Kutay, Aamir Ahmed Dar, Adnan Safi Dar, Zubair Ahmed Wani, Haroon Rashid Ganai, and Zakir Ahmed Ganie.

As per ANI, Dentoo has been associated with LeT since 2021 and is currently leading its Sopore operations. Asif Ahmed Sheikh, linked with JeM, is reportedly a key commander in Awantipora since 2022. Other operatives like Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh, Haris Nazir and Aamir Nazir Wani have been working in Pulwama district for LeT and JeM between 2023 and 2024.

In Shopian district, Asif Ahmed Khanday joined Hizbul Mujahideen back in 2015 and has remained an active member since then. Naseer Ahmed Wani and Shahid Ahmed Kutay are associated with LeT, while Aamir Ahmed Dar and Adnan Safi Dar are said to be working for both LeT and its proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF).

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Among the senior figures in the list, Zubair Ahmed Wani is known as the Chief Operational Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen in Anantnag district and has been involved in several attacks since 2018. Another operative, Haroon Rashid Ganai, also from Anantnag, had received training in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in 2018 and has reportedly returned to South Kashmir recently.

Meanwhile, Zakir Ahmed Ganie from Kulgam district has been accused of planning attacks on security forces and civilians. He is said to be associated with LeT.

The release of these names comes after the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives. Investigating agencies believe that these 14 local terrorists could have links with the five attackers responsible for the carnage. Among the attackers, three were Pakistani nationals.

Earlier, the authorities had released sketches of the three Pakistani terrorists identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. Two local operatives involved in the attack were identified as Adil Guri and Ahsan. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced on each of the five attackers.
 

Following the attack, security forces have launched massive search operations across South Kashmir, especially in the districts of Anantnag and Pulwama, where several of these listed terrorists are believed to be active.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with other security agencies, is assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation. The NIA team is expected to collect forensic evidence from the attack site and help in identifying the wider network behind the incident.

(With Inputs from ANI)