Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha – sketches of these three terrorists wanted for the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam were released on Wednesday. The three terrorists who were also involved in earlier attacks in Poonch also had code names — Moosa, Yunus and Asif revealed Jammu & Kashmir Police.

The police said the sketches were made based on eyewitness accounts of tourists who survived the attack. A group called The Resistance Front (TRF), which is connected to the banned Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed it carried out the attack. The Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha allegedly work for TRF.

Pahalgam terror attack: 26 civilians dead

In a horrifying terror attack that shook Kashmir’s in Pahalgam, Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists on Tuesday, killing 26 people and injuring several others. Two officers from Indian Navy and the Intelligence Bureau were also among the victims.

The deadly attack was launched at the picturesque Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, which is a popular tourist spot in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, popularly called ‘mini Switzerland’.

Intel sources had warned about the attack

A few days before the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, intelligence agencies had reportedly warned about a possible strike targeting non-local tourists. The alert also warned about the potential use of an improvised explosive device (IED).

Indian Army guns down two terrorists

Meanwhile, hours after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives, the Indian Army thwarted a major infiltration attempt in the Uri sector of North Kashmir. In a fierce gunfight, two heavily armed terrorists were neutralised by security forces.

The two terrorists were killed on Wednesday in a heavy exchange of fire with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla by the Indian Army. The encounter broke out when around two-three terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area of Sarjeevan at Baramulla’s Uri Nala.

The operation, launched by Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and other war-like stores. The area is being combed for more infiltrators, and operations remain underway.

LeT-linked organisation The Resistance Front claims responsibility

The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack.  The organisation is backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The Resistance Front is allegedly linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The outfit is considered a proxy of LeT founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

TRF a terrorist organization: Govt of India

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, TRF “has been involved in the planning of killings of security force personnel and innocent civilians of Jammu and Kashmir, co-ordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from across the border.”

The Government of India formally designated TRF as a terrorist organization under the UAPA in the year 2023. This move allowed for stronger surveillance and crackdowns on its operations and associates.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies have intensified their efforts to dismantle the group’s operational infrastructure.