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The recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting a massive security response and raising serious concerns about the resurgence of militancy. The identification of Hashim Musa, a Pakistani national also known as Suleiman, as one of the primary perpetrators has further heightened tensions. According to media reports citing NIA officials, Musa has been active in Jammu and Kashmir for the past year, and is suspected of involvement in at least three previous attacks targeting security personnel and non-locals. This information suggests a sustained campaign of violence orchestrated by Musa and his associates, indicating a well-coordinated effort to destabilize the region and sow fear among the local population. The fact that Musa is believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal range, accompanied by four other terrorists reportedly involved in the Pahalgam assault, presents a significant challenge to security forces. The identified individuals, including Ali Bhai alias Talha (Pakistani), Asif Fauji (Pakistani), Adil Hussain Thoker (a resident of Anantnag), and Ahsan (a resident of Pulwama), represent a diverse group of actors, combining foreign militants with local recruits. This dynamic underscores the complex nature of the insurgency in Kashmir, where external support networks intersect with local grievances and vulnerabilities to fuel the conflict. The collaboration between Pakistani nationals and local residents in carrying out attacks highlights the ongoing efforts by militant groups to recruit and radicalize individuals within the region. The release of sketches of the suspects based on descriptions provided by survivors demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. However, the vastness of the Pir Panjal range and the familiarity of the militants with the terrain pose considerable obstacles to the ongoing manhunt. The rugged mountainous landscape provides ample cover for the attackers, allowing them to evade detection and potentially plan future attacks. The involvement of foreign militants in the Pahalgam attack underscores the continued external support for militancy in Kashmir. The presence of Pakistani nationals like Hashim Musa, Ali Bhai, and Asif Fauji suggests that militant groups operating in the region are receiving logistical and operational assistance from across the border. This external support network enables the militants to sustain their activities and prolong the conflict, despite the efforts of security forces to contain them. The investigation into the Pahalgam attack has also focused on the potential links between Musa and other Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits operating in the Valley, beyond Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This suggests that Musa may be collaborating with a wider network of militant groups, coordinating attacks and sharing resources to maximize their impact. The possibility of such collaboration raises concerns about the potential for further escalation of violence in the region and the need for a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to address the complex web of militant organizations. The security agencies are also examining potential links involving overground workers (OGWs) associated with LeT, who are believed to have facilitated the movement of Pakistani militants from areas near the border to various districts in Kashmir over the past year. This highlights the crucial role played by OGWs in supporting militant activities by providing logistical support, intelligence, and safe havens. The identification and disruption of these support networks are essential for weakening the operational capabilities of militant groups and preventing future attacks. The monitoring of digital platforms to identify individuals in the Kashmir Valley who may have communicated with LeT and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), through encrypted messaging apps in planning attacks on non-locals, further underscores the importance of intelligence gathering and surveillance in combating terrorism. The use of encrypted communication channels by militants allows them to evade detection and coordinate their activities without being intercepted by security forces. The ability to identify and monitor these communication networks is crucial for disrupting terrorist plots and preventing attacks before they occur.
The ongoing investigation into the Pahalgam attack has led to the detention of more than 2,000 individuals, mostly former militants and OGWs, for questioning. While many have been released after preliminary questioning, the crackdown has continued, indicating the determination of security forces to identify and apprehend all those involved in the attack. The large-scale detentions reflect the broad scope of the investigation and the efforts to gather intelligence from a wide range of sources. The announcement of a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the capture of the terrorists involved further demonstrates the commitment of authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. The reward is intended to incentivize individuals with knowledge of the militants' whereabouts or activities to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. According to police, Adil Hussain Thoker had crossed into Pakistan in 2018 and returned to Jammu and Kashmir last year. This information suggests that Thoker may have received training or indoctrination in Pakistan before returning to join militant ranks in Kashmir. The involvement of individuals who have undergone training in Pakistan underscores the continued influence of external actors in fueling militancy in the region. The fact that the two Pakistani nationals implicated in the attack have reportedly been active in the Valley for the past two years further highlights the long-term presence of foreign militants in Kashmir and the challenges faced by security forces in tracking and apprehending them. The meeting of senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Intelligence Bureau, and other central agencies in Delhi on Thursday to discuss enhanced measures to curb infiltration, tighten border security, and dismantle the support networks of terrorist groups reflects the seriousness with which the government is taking the situation. The discussions focused on strengthening border security to prevent the entry of foreign militants, enhancing intelligence gathering to identify and disrupt terrorist networks, and implementing measures to counter radicalization and recruitment. The claim of responsibility for the Baisaran attack by TRF, despite officials maintaining it operates as a proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba, highlights the evolving tactics of militant groups in Kashmir. By using proxy organizations like TRF, militant groups can distance themselves from direct responsibility for attacks and potentially evade international scrutiny. The assertion that TRF operates as a proxy for LeT suggests that the two groups are closely linked and that TRF is carrying out attacks on behalf of LeT under a different banner. Since last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its crackdown on several terrorist outfits affiliated with LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, and others. This reflects the government's commitment to dismantling the entire network of terrorist organizations operating in Jammu and Kashmir and to preventing them from carrying out further attacks. The inclusion of organizations like The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, and the PAAF in the crackdown further underscores the comprehensive nature of the counter-terrorism efforts. The NIA's intensified crackdown signals a determined effort to disrupt the funding, recruitment, and operational capabilities of these terrorist groups. The focus on a wide range of organizations, including those with varying levels of affiliation and operational capacity, reflects the understanding that a comprehensive approach is necessary to effectively counter the threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pahalgam attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. The involvement of both foreign militants and local recruits highlights the complex dynamics of the insurgency, where external support networks intersect with local grievances and vulnerabilities. The ongoing efforts by security forces to apprehend the perpetrators, dismantle terrorist networks, and counter radicalization are essential for maintaining stability and preventing further violence. The importance of enhanced measures to curb infiltration, tighten border security, and disrupt terrorist support networks cannot be overstated. The porous border with Pakistan and the presence of overground workers who facilitate the movement of militants pose significant challenges to security forces. Strengthening border security and disrupting OGW networks are crucial for preventing the entry of foreign militants and weakening the operational capabilities of terrorist groups. The use of encrypted communication channels by militants and their reliance on digital platforms for recruitment and propaganda underscore the need for enhanced cyber security measures and intelligence gathering capabilities. Monitoring digital platforms and identifying individuals who may be communicating with terrorist groups through encrypted messaging apps are essential for disrupting terrorist plots and preventing attacks. The intensified crackdown by the NIA on terrorist outfits and the ongoing efforts to disrupt their funding, recruitment, and operational capabilities are crucial for dismantling the entire network of terrorist organizations operating in Jammu and Kashmir. A comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy that addresses both the immediate threat of violence and the underlying causes of radicalization is essential for achieving long-term peace and stability in the region. This strategy must include measures to promote economic development, address grievances, and counter extremist ideologies. The involvement of local residents in the Pahalgam attack also highlights the need for community engagement and outreach programs to counter radicalization and prevent the recruitment of young people into militant groups. Building trust between security forces and local communities is essential for gathering intelligence and preventing future attacks. The long-term solution to the conflict in Kashmir requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the security challenges and the underlying political and economic grievances. A sustained effort to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and good governance is essential for creating a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pahalgam attack underscores the need for continued vigilance and a coordinated effort by all stakeholders to address the complex security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. By strengthening border security, disrupting terrorist networks, countering radicalization, and promoting community engagement, it is possible to create a more stable and secure environment in the region.
Source: Pahalgam attackers hiding in Pir Panjal mountains, were involved in previous hits in Kashmir: Report