Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks on civilians in recent years as 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a brutal gunfire assault at the scenic Baisaran meadow, popularly known as &lsquo;Mini Switzerland&rsquo;.
On Wednesday, April 23, security agencies released sketches of three suspects believed to be behind the massacre. The suspects&mdash;identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha&mdash;are known to have used code names Moosa, Yunus, and Asif respectively. All three have prior links to terror-related activities in the Poonch region, according to officials cited by the PTI news agency.
The sketches were prepared based on inputs from survivors of the attack, which took place at the peak tourist destination in the Anantnag district. Initial investigations suggest that the attackers may have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in South Kashmir.
Security officials suspect the involvement of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has reportedly claimed responsibility for the carnage. 
Kashmir also witnessed a complete shutdown&mdash;the first in 35 years&mdash;called by political, social, and religious organizations in protest against the deadly attack.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to Delhi on Tuesday night. Upon arrival, he held a high-level meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and other senior officials. 
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir the same evening and visited the site of the attack in Baisaran on Wednesday morning. Before going to Baisaran, HM Shah went to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Anantnag, where he met the injured tourists and enquired about the medical facilities there to aid in their speedy recovery.
He also met with families of slain victims and survivors of the deadly attack. 
As a part of the investigation and crackdown, a massive manhunt has been launched across the Valley. Security has been tightened in Anantnag, Baramulla, Udhampur, and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Checkpoints have been reinforced, and vehicle inspections have intensified, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
The Indian Army also foiled an infiltration bid by killing two militants in the Uri sector on Wednesday. 
Meanwhile, Pakistan reacted to the attack with a brief statement from its Foreign Office: &ldquo;We are concerned at the loss of tourists&rsquo; lives in an attack in Anantnag district. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,&rdquo; said FO Spokesperson Shafqat Khan, as quoted by Dawn.
Global condemnation followed the attack, with US President Donald Trump expressing &ldquo;deepest sympathies&rdquo; and extending &ldquo;full support&rdquo; to India in its fight against terrorism.
With the Valley on high alert, the Ministry of Defence has directed the Army, Navy, and Air Force to remain on standby. &nbsp;
As a mark of support and solidarity, the J&amp;K government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
(with inputs from IANS) <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ERXCnA7lrMp57S3N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow the Benefit News channel on WhatsApp</a> 
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Sketches of terror suspects released by security agencies

Sketches of 3 suspects released; massive crackdown underway across Kashmir Valley

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Suspects Identified; Valley Shut

Sketches of 3 suspects released; massive crackdown underway across Kashmir Valley

April 23, 2025 | 14:13 IST