The four terrorists responsible for the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir, on April 22 remain at large, despite a widespread search operation involving the Indian Army and local law enforcement. Sources from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have indicated that the assailants are believed to still be hiding in the vicinity.
Investigators believe the militants may be operating independently, carrying their own supplies and rations. This self-sufficiency is seen as a key factor in their ability to avoid capture so far, possibly by staying concealed in the thick forested terrain of the region.
Their autonomy would also reduce the need for external logistical assistance, which officials in New Delhi have suggested would have originated from Pakistan &mdash; a country India has accused of involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
The NIA, now leading the investigation, has described the incident as the deadliest terror attack on Indian soil since February 2019, when 40 soldiers were killed in Pulwama.&nbsp;
According to early findings, the attackers were present in the Baisaran Valley &mdash; a popular tourist destination near Pahalgam and the site of the killings &mdash; for at least two days prior to the attack.
Further details have emerged from interrogations of local Over Ground Workers (OGWs), individuals known to support terrorist activities. These interrogations revealed that the attackers had initially surveyed four other potential targets, including the Aru and Betaab valleys.&nbsp;
However, due to heavy security at those locations, the group selected Baisaran, which was comparatively less guarded. The lack of a significant security presence has since led to criticism from Opposition leaders questioning the area&rsquo;s preparedness.
Intelligence sources have indicated that the group was equipped with sophisticated communication technology. Retired Major General Yash Mor, a former military officer with experience in Kashmir, has highlighted concerns over the equipment used, noting that the devices required no SIM cards and were capable of transmitting encrypted messages over short distances.&nbsp;
These features rendered interception nearly impossible. Officials have also reported that three satellite phones were used by the group, likely to conceal their whereabouts and mislead security forces in the run-up to the incident, which began at approximately 1:15 pm.
The operation was carried out with ruthless efficiency. Three gunmen emerged from concealed positions surrounding Baisaran and opened fire on tourists, while a fourth remained hidden to provide cover if needed. There is speculation that additional militants may have been stationed nearby.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the terrorists confronted male victims, demanding they recite Islamic verses. Those who failed were executed at close range. Graphic video footage recorded in the aftermath showed women pleading for help, their faces smeared with the blood of their husbands and partners.&nbsp;
In one chilling instance, a terrorist taunted a grieving woman, telling her, &ldquo;Go tell (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,&rdquo; after killing her husband.
Among the victims was a Nepali national, a newly-married Navy officer on his honeymoon, a 70-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh, and a 35-year-old father from Karnataka who reportedly begged the attackers for his life.
The international response to the killings was one of shock and condemnation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in the strongest terms, pledging that those responsible would be held to account.&nbsp;
He vowed that retribution would not be limited to those who executed the violence, but would extend to those who orchestrated it. &ldquo;Terrorism&rsquo;s evil agenda will not be allowed to succeed,&rdquo; the Prime Minister stated, issuing a direct warning to Pakistan and groups operating within its borders.
India&rsquo;s immediate response included a series of diplomatic actions. Pakistani nationals were expelled from Indian territory, and the Indus Waters Treaty &mdash; a crucial water-sharing agreement that provides Pakistan with more than 80% of its water resources &mdash; was suspended.&nbsp;
In retaliation, Pakistan expelled Indian nationals and suspended the Simla Agreement. Both countries have also closed their airspace to each other&rsquo;s aircraft.
A military response from India is anticipated. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi convened a high-level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.&nbsp;
Sources confirmed that the Prime Minister authorized the armed forces to develop and execute a counter-operation.
Meanwhile, ceasefire violations by Pakistan continue unabated. On Thursday morning, Pakistani forces initiated unprovoked small arms fire in the Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors. The Indian side responded proportionately. This marks the seventh consecutive night of such violations by Pakistani forces.
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Four terrorists who killed 26 in Pahalgam remain hidden in Kashmir forests, equipped with supplies and tech gear

Pahalgam Terrorists Still in Forests With Supplies

Four terrorists who killed 26 in Pahalgam remain hidden in Kashmir forests, equipped with supplies and tech gear

May 1, 2025 | 18:48 IST