key Findings

• 14 Terrorists Identified: Eight from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and three each from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).
• NIA Investigation: Recording statements from survivors of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack [[2]].
• Majority Joined After 2021: Most are in their early 20s and joined Pakistan-backed outfits after 2021.
• Area of Operation: Active in Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Sopore, Awantipora, and Kulgam.

The Identified Terrorists

intelligence agencies have released the names and affiliations of the 14 active terrorists:

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

• Adil rehman Dentoo, 22: From Sopore, joined March 5, 2021.
• Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh, 24: From Murran in Pulwama, joined June 24, 2023.
• haris Nazar,21: From Kacchipora in Pulwama,joined June 24,2023.
• Naseed Ahmed Wani, 22: From Doompora in Shopian, joined November 30, 2019.
• Shahid Ahmad Kutay, 27: From heerpora in Shopian, associated with LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF) since March 8, 2023.
• Aamir Ahmad Dar: From Shopian, joined September 30, 2023.
• Adnan Shafi Dar, 18: From Zainapora in Shopian, joined LeT/TRF on November 18, 2024.
• Zakir Ahmad Ganie, 28: From Mutalhama in Kulgam, joined September 29, 2023.

Ahsan Sheikh is suspected to be involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, and his house has been destroyed by security forces. The house of Shahid Kutay has also been razed.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)

• Asif Ahmad Sheikh, 25: from Tral, joined april 18, 2022.
• Amir Nazir Wani,20: From Khasipora in Tral,joined April 26,2024.
• Yawar Ahmad Bhat: From Tral, joined August 26, 2024.

Asif Sheikh’s name has also surfaced in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack. Which means it is possible that JeM assisted LeT in the killings on the directions of Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, an officer said. Sheikh’s residence in Tral was demolished by security forces.

Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)

• Asif Ahmed Khanday, 22: From Wanpora in shopian, joined July 2015.
• Zubair Ahmad Wani alias Abu Ubaida, 39: From Doora in Anantnag, joined April 19, 2018; now the chief operational commander of the outfit in Anantnag.
• Harood Rashid ganai, 32: From Hassanpora in Anantnag, joined June 2021.

According to an intelligence listing, Ganai exfiltrated to pakistan in 2018 and was in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) till recently, a second officer said.

NIA Investigation and Security measures

The NIA is recording statements from survivors of the pahalgam attack in their home states to gather detailed information about the attack, including the number of terrorists involved and their accents. The security forces are conducting joint interrogations of several overground workers in Jammu and Kashmir while hunting for the terrorists.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches of three terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals—Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman—and local operative Adil Hussain Thoker, with a ₹20-lakh bounty on each.

Musa is allegedly involved in at least three previous attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the May 2024 ambush on an indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Poonch.

The Pahalgam Attack: A Turning Point

The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people and injuries to many others, has intensified security operations in the region [[1]]. The attack, which targeted non-Muslim male tourists, was reportedly aimed at resisting alleged demographic changes in the Kashmir Valley [[2]].

The Resistance Front, a UN-designated terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the attack [[2]].

Which means it is possible that jem assisted LeT in the killings on the directions of Pakistan’s spy agency ISI.

An unnamed officer

FAQ Section

How many terrorists have been identified?

14 active terrorists have been identified.

Which groups do they belong to?

Eight belong to Lashkar-e-taiba (LeT), and three each from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

What is the NIA doing?

The NIA is recording statements from survivors of the Pahalgam terror attack.

What areas are these terrorists active in?

They are active in Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, sopore, awantipora, and Kulgam.

What is the bounty on the wanted terrorists?

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a ₹20-lakh bounty on each of the three wanted terrorists.