India: Jammu, Kashmir police unveil sketches of Pahalgam terrorists Modi Vows Justice / Photo

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued sketches and identified three terrorists believed to have carried out the brutal April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

All three men are linked to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and the authorities have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh (approximately $24,000) for information leading to their capture, Caliber.Az reports, per Indian media.

The first suspect, Adil Hussain Thoker, is a resident of Anantnag. The second, known as Ali Bhai or Talha Bhai, and the third, identified as Hasim Musa, also referred to as Suleiman, are believed to be Pakistani nationals. The police have indicated that both Musa and Talha are suspected to be from Pakistan, while Thoker is a native of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack, which he described as an assault on the nation’s soul, and vowed that India would leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. Addressing a gathering at the National Panchayati Raj Day event in Bihar’s Madhubani, PM Modi expressed the country's deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families.

“This nation stands united in its resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. Terrorism will not break India’s spirit, and terrorism will never go unpunished,” the Prime Minister declared. He also expressed gratitude to the international community for their support during these difficult times.

In a strong message to those responsible for the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi warned that the masterminds of the terror act would face consequences beyond their imagination. “The willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of the masters of terror,” he added.

In a separate development, India has taken diplomatic action in the wake of the Pahalgam attack by expelling Pakistani nationals from its territory. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared several diplomats from the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi, including defence, naval, and air force advisers, as “persona non grata,” instructing them to leave the country within a week.

Vikram Misri, India’s Deputy Foreign Minister, confirmed the expulsion order, as reported by The Times of India. The expulsion also applies to Pakistani nationals who had entered India under the visa exemption scheme. These individuals have been given 48 hours to depart, and future Pakistani entry into India will be prohibited.

As part of the broader diplomatic measures, the size of both the Indian and Pakistani embassies will be reduced by half, with staff numbers dropping from 55 to 30 on both sides by May 1, 2025.

To recall, at least 26 tourists have been killed and dozens more injured in a shooting attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, northern India. The attack occurred as the group was ascending a trail in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist area.

Armed assailants opened fire, with fatalities and injuries reported. Local security forces and medical teams were quick to respond. Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, described the attack as the largest of its kind in recent years. Authorities have labelled it a terrorist act and launched an investigation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev