Among at least five terrorists linked to the Pahalgam terror attack in the Baisaran valley on Tuesday, three were from Pakistan. Of those three, two are suspected to be local militants from Jammu and Kashmir, according to an Indian Express report.
A combination of sources, eyewitness accounts and intelligence reports suggests that the suspected local militants even received training in Pakistan. Claims of their ties to Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed have also surfaced. The reported development in the Pahalgam attack probe comes as Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif denied the country’s role in the harrowing unfolding that claimed at least 26 lives.
At least 2 Pahalgam terrorists were locals: Report
“The Urdu that they (the foreign terrorists) spoke is from certain parts of Pakistan…At least two local militants are suspected to be accompanying them,” an officer told IE. Furthermore, reliable sources said that while one of the suspected Pahalgam attack terrorists is also believed to have been linked to an attack on an IAF convoy last year, two others were locals.
“The two others are believed to be from Bijbehara and Thokerpora, Kulgam. They went to Pakistan in 2017 and returned to the Valley last year. Information has been received that they received training in Pakistan. They were associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed, and initial investigation suggests that the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish allied to execute this attack,” said a central agency source.
Since the attack, authorities have released sketches of at least three terrorists. A reward of Rs 20 lakh each was also announced in exchange of crucial information about them.
Earlier, Pakistan denied involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack
“Pakistan has no link with the Pahalgam terror attack,” Khwaja Asif said during an interview with Pakistani news channel Live 92. “The Indian government has been facing protests in many states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. These are not acts of foreign interference but local uprisings,” he added.
He event went on to say, “These are people asking for their rights. Hindutva forces are repressing minorities, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and people are reacting.” Further insisting that the country doesn’t support terrorism “under any circumstances,” he continued, “We do not support terrorism in any form, and locals should not be a target for terrorists, and we have no doubt about it .”
“If the army or police are committing atrocities against people, denying them fundamental rights, blaming Pakistan becomes a convenient excuse.”
LeT top commander followed suit
Additionally, banned Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-E-Taiba (LeT) Deputy Chief Saifullah Kasuri aka Saifullah Khalid has also dusted off claims of having played any role in the fatal attack. In a video going viral on social media, Kasuri blamed Indian media for “wrongfully” dragging him and Pakistan for the terror attack.
He even accused India of creating “drama as they were themselves behind the attack,” adding, “Indian Army will put a bullet in your head the same way you killed Dwivedi in front of his wife. India will retaliate this time and hopefully last time too.”
His video message made waves on social media despite The Resistance Front (TRF), associated with the (LeT), claimed the responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, according to The Indian Express.