
Pahalgam Shooters Were Ordered To Kill Brutally: Exclusive From Sources On Their Training
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Experts say the shots to vital organs or even the head show their precision, making it different from the earlier attacks in the Valley, where grenades were used
The terrorists who carried out the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, killing 26 tourists, were highly trained, according to top sources.
Experts say the shots to vital organs or even the head show their precision, making it different from the earlier attacks in the Valley, where grenades were used or terrorists used to flee after one or two gunshots.
Adil Hussain Thoker, son of Wali Mohammad Thoker who lives in Anantnag, planned the Pahalgam attack in connivance with Lashkar-e-Toiba's commanders in Pakistan Saifullah Kasuri and Abu Musa, according to highly placed sources. Adil is currently absconding, with a massive search launched for him and his aides.
'Specific gunshots suggest you want to kill brutally," said sources, adding, 'When located in March they were not knowing Kashmiri, which means they were foreigners. Under the guidance of a local person, they strengthened their training."
As per sources, Adil, now in his 20s, came into the limelight when he was seen attending the funeral of terrorists in south Kashmir in 2018. The same year, just a little more than a teen, he went to Pakistan on a Valid Travel Document (VTD) via Wagah and disappeared thereafter. Soon, there were reports he had joined the banned Pakistan-based terror group LeT.
'Adil was radicalised and his hate towards tourist was visible, possibly he told them to kill brutally," said sources.
Moreover, they were aware that the reinforcements would take time to come. 'Police force came after 1.5 hours. The road, too, was bad. Foreign terrorists do whatever their guide tells them. In this case, Adil clearly knew the area and took advantage of it to cause damage," said sources.
Meanwhile, armed police and soldiers searched homes and forests as part of a massive anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, as Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the area to review security.
According to the police, the searches were part of an ongoing investigation and intelligence-led efforts to dismantle the support network of terrorist outfits operating in the region.
The searches took place in Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kathua, Kulgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur.
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