Adil Hussain Thokar, once seen as a bright and introverted student from Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, has now been identified as one of the key masterminds behind the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.
Who is Adil Hussain Thokar?
Adil had completed his graduation from Government Degree College in Khanabal and was pursuing a master’s degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) while working part-time as a teacher and preparing for competitive exams. Neighbors remember him as a quiet and studious individual. “He wasn’t very social but focused on his studies,” recalled Hafeez, a neighbor.
Adil was reported missing by his family on April 29, 2018, after he left for Badgam to appear for an exam. However, intelligence agencies later revealed that he had traveled to Pakistan on a study visa, where he became involved with radical groups. It is believed he crossed back into India in 2024 across the Line of Control (LOC).
His home village, Guree in Anantnag, has a population of about 4,000 people, many of whom depend on small businesses, labor work, or tourism for their livelihood. Adil’s family, living modestly, was left devastated by the news. His mother, Shahzada Bano, said, “We haven’t heard from him since 2018. If he is involved, the forces can act accordingly.” She appealed for Adil to surrender so the family could live in peace.
The brutal attack at Baisaran Meadow, a scenic tourist spot 7 km from Pahalgam, involved six foreign terrorists disguised in Army uniforms who targeted victims based on their religion. It is considered the deadliest assault in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Following the attack, the Army demolished Adil’s family home in Guree and later swept the ruins for any unexploded ordnance. Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to Adil’s arrest and that of other suspects.
The search for Adil continues as security forces intensify efforts to bring those responsible to justice.