Explosions destroy homes of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists linked to Pahalgam attack in South Kashmir

In a significant development in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the homes of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, were destroyed in explosions in South Kashmir on Thursday night. The targeted demolitions took place during search operations conducted by security forces in Pulwama and Anantnag districts.

According to officials cited by news agency PTI, the blasts were the result of explosives already planted inside the residences. The house of Asif Sheikh was located in Tral, Pulwama district, while Thokar’s residence was in Bijbehara block of Anantnag district. Both men are believed to have played significant roles in orchestrating the deadly Pahalgam attack on Tuesday.

While independent verification of the blasts remains pending, visuals from the scene show the complete destruction of the houses, highlighting the intensity of the explosions. HT has not independently confirmed the details of the reported incident.

Adil Hussain Thokar is now considered one of the most wanted individuals in Jammu and Kashmir. The Anantnag Police have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to his capture. Thokar reportedly received terror training in Pakistan after travelling there in 2018 and returned to India last year. He is alleged to have been acting as a guide for Pakistani terrorists operating in the region.

One such operative is Hashim Musa, a Pakistani national also identified as a key perpetrator of the Pahalgam attack. Musa, also known by the alias Suleiman, had been active in the Kashmir Valley for over a year and is believed to be responsible for multiple attacks targeting security forces and non-local civilians. Another Pakistani terrorist, Ali Talha, has similarly been involved in operations in the Dachigam forests near Srinagar.

As the investigation deepens, security agencies have detained several local residents and overground workers for questioning to uncover further information about the conspiracy and the network supporting these militants.