"Pahalgam Terror Attack: One Attacker Identified as NIA Team Reaches Scene"

Pahalgam Terror Attack: One Attacker Identified, NIA Team Arrives at Scene

A day after a brutal terror attack claimed the lives of at least 25 tourists and one local resident at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, investigators have identified one of the four attackers. According to a source from a central agency, the attacker has been identified as Adil, a local overground worker who had recently returned from Pakistan. His presence at the scene was reportedly confirmed by local residents who recognized him during the assault.

Another attacker, also believed to be a local, has been tentatively identified. However, central investigative agencies are working closely with local police to confirm the individual’s identity and gather more concrete evidence.

In a significant development, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived at the crime scene on Wednesday. Led by an officer of Inspector General (IG) rank, the team will initially assist local law enforcement in gathering information and taking witness statements. Once the formalities around the registration of the FIR are completed, the NIA is expected to officially take over the probe. This move reflects the gravity of the attack, which is being termed the deadliest act of terror targeting civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.

According to preliminary findings, the attack was carried out by a group of four terrorists dressed in camouflage gear and traditional kurta-pyjamas. Armed with sophisticated American-made M4 carbine assault rifles and AK-47s, they entered the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, and began firing.

A staggering 50 to 70 spent cartridges were recovered from the site by Tuesday evening, suggesting a prolonged and intense assault. The attackers reportedly arrived at the meadow and initially held the tourists at gunpoint. Women and children were ordered to move aside before the gunmen interrogated the victims about their identities. After confirming their targets, the terrorists opened fire at close range, and subsequently, indiscriminately shot at others in the vicinity.

Sources indicate that two of the terrorists were equipped with M4 carbines while the remaining two carried AK-47s. The choice of weaponry and the execution of the attack point to a well-planned operation, possibly orchestrated with external support.

The massacre has sent shockwaves across the country, with officials calling for heightened security in sensitive regions and tourist destinations. The involvement of returning operatives from Pakistan has further raised concerns about cross-border infiltration and the reactivation of local sleeper cells.

The NIA’s presence on the ground is expected to accelerate the investigation, with forensic teams examining ballistic evidence, digital footprints, and surveillance footage. The agency is also coordinating with intelligence units to determine whether the attackers had external handlers or if the plot was executed independently.

As the investigation unfolds, security forces remain on high alert in the region, with additional deployments being made to prevent any further incidents. Authorities have also appealed to the public to share any information that could assist in identifying the remaining perpetrators.