Over 25 detained as manhunt intensifies after Pahalgam terror attack

Srinagar, Apr 24: Security forces have ramped up their combing operations and detained over 25 suspects in connection with the deadly terrorist attack that took place in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam, South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, on Tuesday. The attack, which killed 26 civilians and injured 17, has triggered a full-scale security response, particularly in tourist hubs, as the region is in the midst of its peak travel season.
The site of the attack, located approximately 85 kilometers from Srinagar, has become the epicenter of a massive joint search operation involving the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The search operation, which entered its third day on Wednesday, has been expanded to cover a 5-kilometer radius around the attack location in the upper reaches of Pahalgam.
A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that at least 25 individuals had been detained for questioning. He clarified that these detentions are routine during investigations and that some individuals have already been released after initial questioning.
“We are investigating local assistance to the terrorists, potential hideouts, and infiltration routes. The focus is on uncovering the logistical framework behind the attack,” the officer explained.
Security officials believe that two to three terrorists, reportedly affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—were responsible for the ambush. Armed with advanced US-made M4 carbines and trained in jungle warfare, the attackers are suspected to be hiding in the dense forests nearby, using caves and rugged terrain to evade capture.
To aid the ongoing operation, night vision drones, helicopters, and sniffer dogs have been deployed. Additionally, technical surveillance, including thermal imaging and ground sensors, is being utilized to track the suspects. Special forces have also been brought in to reinforce the operation.
“Multiple teams are working on the ground, and we are pursuing every lead. The area is being thoroughly sanitized. This was a meticulously planned act of terror, and we suspect the involvement of a recently infiltrated module supported by local overground workers,” the officer said.
The official said that special checkpoints have been set up at Pahalgam, Mattan, Aishmuqam, and Seer Hamdan, with security personnel conducting intensive vehicle checks and identity verifications.
“Tourists and locals alike are being advised to limit non-essential travel as a precautionary measure. Hotels, lodges, and houseboats in the vicinity have also been searched, and guest records are under scrutiny,” he said.
The official said that a joint investigation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, and intelligence agencies is examining mobile tower dumps, call data records from areas in and around Pahalgam. Investigators believe the attackers may have taken shelter in a forested belt immediately after the strike and may still be hiding nearby.