Intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists linked to Pakistan-based outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. These individuals, aged between 20 to 40 years, are actively aiding foreign terrorists from Pakistan by providing logistical and ground-level support.
Among the identified operatives, three are associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, eight with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and three with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The list includes names such as Adil Rehman Dentoo, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh, Haris Nazir, Aamir Nazir Wani, Yawar Ahmed Bhat, Asif Ahmed Khanday, Naseer Ahmed Wani, Shahid Ahmed Kutay, Aamir Ahmed Dar, Adnan Safi Dar, Zubair Ahmed Wani, Haroon Rashid Ganai, and Zakir Ahmed Ganie.
These terrorists are active in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, with Dentoo serving as the Sopore district commander of LeT, Sheikh leading JeM activities in Awantipora, and Sheikh operating as an LeT terrorist in Pulwama. The identified individuals have been involved in terrorist activities dating back to as early as 2015.
Zubair Ahmed Wani, also known as Abu Ubaida, is the Chief Operational Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen in Anantnag district and is considered an A+ category terrorist. Meanwhile, Haroon Rashid Ganai, an active Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist from Anantnag, is on the radar of security forces after receiving training in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The identification of these local terror aides comes as agencies intensify efforts to dismantle support networks facilitating cross-border terrorism. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, security forces have launched coordinated operations in South Kashmir to disrupt terror logistics.
Efforts are underway to establish links between these 14 identified terrorists and the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, which included three Pakistani nationals. The release of this list aims to pre-empt further attacks and disrupt terror activities in the region.
The authorities have also released sketches of the Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, offering a reward for any information leading to their capture. As investigations continue, security forces remain on high alert to prevent future attacks and dismantle terrorist networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
