Pahalgam terrorists wore military fatigues, used M4 carbine & AK-47s: Reports

Four terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack were wearing military fatigues and using US-made M4 carbine and AK-47 assault rifle, according to reports.

Terrorists killed at least 26 people in Baisaran area of Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. In recent years, this is the worst act of terror in J&K after the Pulwama attack of 2019 in which 49 soldiers were killed.

Of the four terrorists, two were foreigners and two were locals, according to The Indian Express.

Previously, CNN-News 18 had reported that three of the four terrorists believed to be involved in the attack are named Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha.

Sources said that Fauji is the leader of the group.

In a photo accessed by the media, these three terrorists are seen with a fourth terrorist, who has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, who was killed in December in a fight with security forces.

At the time of killing, Bhat was identified as a local commander of Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. The TRF is seen as a front organisation of LeT.

The Express has reported that investigators have recovered 50-70 cartridges from the site of the attack.

Sources told the newspaper that two terrorists used M4s and two used AK-47s in the attack.

The source further said, “Security agencies and the local police are questioning local residents. They are trying to find out if the terrorists had a handler who helped conduct a recce for the attack. Prime facie it appears that the terrorists crossed over from Kishtwar and reached Baisaran via Kokernag with the help of their local operatives.”

Separately, The Print has reported that it is believed that the original plan of these terrorists was to carry out an attack during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Katra on April 19. The visit was cancelled.