Pahalgam: In a major breakthrough, sources have revealed that Saifullah Khalid, a top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), masterminded the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people on Tuesday. Also known as Saifullah Kasuri, Saifullah is believed to have been planning the assault for the past two months, making at least two visits to Pakistani Army camps during the preparation phase.
The attack, which targeted tourists in the popular Baisaran area of Pahalgam, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. TRF was formed in 2019 to provide a façade of plausible deniability for Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism.
Saifullah Khalid, a close aide of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s chief Hafiz Saeed, is known to have been involved in numerous terror operations against India. He is also credited with founding both TRF and the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), which are considered proxy arms of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Saifullah is widely believed to have strong support from the Pakistani military establishment, further complicating India’s security concerns.
Recent reports show that Saifullah Khalid has made public declarations regarding his plans for Kashmir, including a provocative speech in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he vowed that Kashmir would be “free” by February 2026. His inflammatory speeches and direct links with Pakistan’s military establishment highlight his significant role in orchestrating attacks against India.
The Pahalgam terror attack is seen as one of the biggest attacks since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government has not yet confirmed the official casualty count, but sources suggest that more than a dozen people have been injured, and many are still recovering.
In the aftermath of the attack, security forces have intensified search operations to locate and neutralize those responsible. The usually bustling tourist area of Pahalgam remains under heavy security, with many organizations calling for a Jammu bandh in response to the brutal terror strike.
India’s authorities are keeping a close watch on Saifullah’s movements and his connections with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani military forces.
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