NEW DELHI: A month after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the perpetrators of the Baisaran meadows carnage continue to be at large despite a massive manhunt undertaken by the security forces.
While several top terrorists have been killed in various operations launched after the deadly April 22 attack at Baisaran meadows, the terrorists who carried out the killings of 26 tourists have eluded the dragnet of security forces.
The sources said the security agencies are conducting relentless operations to track down the terrorists. “So far, they have managed to evade, but it will not be too long before we get them,” the sources added.
The National Investigation Agency, which took over the Pahalgam attack investigations on May 27, continues to question witnesses and analyse digital data as part of its efforts to nab the terrorists.
The preliminary probe by the NIA into the Pahalgam terror attack has revealed that the conspiracy was plotted by the Pakistani covert agency ISI in concert with its proxy Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.
Separate teams of NIA officials have already visited across the country to seek details from survivors of the terrorist attack and corroborate the evidence collected from the meadows.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the NIA has also conducted a 3D mapping of Pahalgam to track the likely trail of the suspected five-member terror module of the terrorists by analysing and evaluating the dump data from mobile towers around the Valley.
Initial digital footprints helped identify the group, but they have since avoided electronic communication. It suggests a level of training aimed at evading surveillance,” the sources in the security agency said.
Questioning of the detained local overground workers has also pointed out that the terror gang relied on some foreign communication devices under the brand name “Ultra” to evade detection by the agencies.
Inputs have also suggested the ultras might be operating in a modular fashion with adequate provisions for food and banking on advanced communication gear that does not rely on SIM cards and offers encrypted, short-range transmission without leaving electronic signatures.
According to the probe agencies, at least five terrorists, including three Pakistani nationals, have been suspected to be involved in the targeted carnage at Pahalgam. Immediately after the attack, J&K police released sketches of Adil Hussain Thoker, a local militant and two Pakistani terrorists identified as Hashim Musa alias Suleiman and Adil Bhai alias Talha Bhai.
The Jammu and Kashmir police has announced a reward of `20 lakhs for credible information leading to the arrest of each of the three.