New Delhi – In the wake of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley that claimed 26 lives, Indian security agencies have uncovered direct links pointing to the top leadership of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, found to be orchestrating the operation from across the border. The strike, involving both foreign militants and local collaborators, is being termed the most lethal terrorist incident in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The assault has not only shocked the nation but also reignited diplomatic hostilities between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi holding Islamabad complicit for harbouring terror elements and enabling their operations in the Kashmir Valley. The government’s response has been swift, wide-ranging, and uncompromising.
The Attack: Anatomy of a Coordinated Massacre
On April 23, armed terrorists launched a coordinated assault at three different sites in Baisaran Valley, near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam. Survivors recount chilling details—attackers approached in civilian disguise, engaged in casual talk, and then opened fire indiscriminately, targeting civilians who had come to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.
According to initial forensic reports and witness statements, five individuals were gunned down near a cluster of trees, two more were executed in a clearing, while the remaining casualties occurred near a fenced periphery of the valley. Terrorists spared some who managed to scale the fencing and escape, suggesting selective targeting and a tactical retreat strategy.
The brutality and precision of the strike point toward a well-trained and ideologically hardened terror module, with a clear command structure and logistical backing, reportedly stemming from across the border.
The Terror Module: A Deadly Network with Deep Roots
Indian security forces, in conjunction with intelligence agencies, have identified the attackers as part of a long-active LeT-backed module, composed mainly of foreign operatives. However, the group has relied heavily on local overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers who facilitate shelter, reconnaissance, and mobility in the terrain.
This module, according to officials, has been active in the Valley for over two years and is linked to a series of high-profile attacks, including the October 2024 Boota Pathri ambush, where four people, including two Indian soldiers, were killed. That same month, the Sonamarg assault on tunnel construction workers saw the death of six labourers and a medical officer. One of the perpetrators of these incidents, Hashim Musa, has now emerged as a central figure in the Pahalgam massacre.
Leadership and Pakistani Patronage
Investigative leads have confirmed that Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and his second-in-command Saifullah, both operating from Pakistan, were directly involved in planning and executing the Pahalgam attack. Saeed, already wanted globally for his involvement in several terror operations, is said to have supervised the module’s movements, funding, and final orders.
The Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) have submitted a joint dossier outlining ISI’s complicity in shielding these terrorists and facilitating cross-border infiltration. According to the dossier, communication intercepts between the militants and handlers in Pakistan show real-time instructions being relayed before and after the attack.
These revelations underline the Pakistan Army’s continued support for cross-border terrorism, despite repeated diplomatic commitments to curtail such activities.
Identifying the Killers: The Manhunt Intensifies
On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released composite sketches of three suspects. Two of them—Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha—are believed to be Pakistani nationals with previous operational history in Kashmir. The third suspect, Abdul Hussain Thokar, is a local resident of Anantnag district and believed to have provided critical logistical assistance.
A cash reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for credible leads resulting in their capture. In tandem with this, security personnel unearthed a hideout in the nearby dense forests, suspected to have served as a staging ground for the assault.
Diplomatic Firestorm: India Retaliates
In the aftermath of the massacre, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened for a high-level meeting to discuss countermeasures. The result was a set of unprecedented diplomatic and strategic actions aimed at isolating Pakistan.
Effective May 1, India and Pakistan will reduce their respective diplomatic missions’ staff strength from 55 to 30. All Pakistani defence attaches and staff at the High Commission in New Delhi have been expelled and given a week’s deadline to leave. Similarly, Indian diplomats posted in Islamabad are being recalled.
Additionally, India has revoked all visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme to Pakistani nationals and suspended the agreement indefinitely. Pakistani citizens currently residing in India under this program have 48 hours to leave the country.
In a particularly bold move, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has been suspended, marking a significant shift in India’s approach to bilateral treaties with Pakistan.
The Attari-Wagah border, a crucial land corridor between the two countries, has also been shut down for civilian movement, disrupting cross-border trade and travel.
Public Outrage and Security Surge
Protests erupted across several Indian cities, particularly outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, where security forces had to intervene as demonstrators gathered in large numbers, chanting anti-terror slogans and demanding stronger action.
In Jammu and Kashmir, local law enforcement agencies have intensified their search operations. Drone surveillance, satellite imagery, and sniffer dog units have been deployed to comb the forests around Pahalgam and Anantnag.
Military convoys have increased their presence along strategic zones in Kupwara, Baramulla, and Ganderbal, and cordon-and-search operations (CASO) have been initiated in over a dozen locations.
Shift in Counter-Terror Strategy
The attack has catalysed a reassessment of India’s counter-terrorism doctrine in the Valley. Security officials are considering a renewed crackdown on overground workers, with proposals to seize properties and freeze bank accounts of individuals found facilitating terror activities.
The Home Ministry has also directed agencies to enhance intelligence sharing and integrate data between the National Investigation Agency (NIA), RAW, IB, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to form a centralised threat-monitoring unit.
Analysts say the involvement of Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah marks a significant escalation, as it shows an operational shift in Lashkar’s tactics—from loosely affiliated cells to centrally coordinated attacks aimed at mass civilian casualties.
International Implications
India is preparing to present its evidence of Pakistani complicity to international forums including the United Nations, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and Interpol. A diplomatic offensive is being mounted to push for renewed sanctions against Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxies.
Foreign Ministry officials have confirmed that dossiers detailing Pakistan’s involvement will be handed over to key allies including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Russia, along with intelligence on Hafiz Saeed’s latest operations.
India is also expected to call upon the UN Security Council to hold Pakistan accountable under UN Resolution 1373, which binds member states to combat terrorism in all forms.
The Pahalgam terror attack has shattered the relative calm in Jammu and Kashmir and served as a grim reminder of the persistent threats lurking beneath the surface. By exposing Hafiz Saeed’s direct role, Indian intelligence has not only unraveled the mechanics of this devastating strike but also laid bare the deep-rooted state-backed infrastructure of terrorism operating from Pakistani soil.
While India’s retaliatory steps are already sending ripples through diplomatic circles, the coming weeks will determine the extent to which these measures curb cross-border militancy. With global attention once again focused on South Asia, New Delhi’s challenge lies in leveraging its intelligence findings to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, even as it ramps up its counter-terror operations on the ground.
