Srinagar, Apr 25 (UNI) Twin blasts destroyed the residential houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, suspected to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Anantnag districts, officials said on Friday.

According to officials, the houses belonged to Asif Sheikh of Monaghama area in Tral, Pulwama, and Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag. The structures were razed to the ground during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday due to explosions.

A senior police officer said the houses were extensively damaged, due to the presence of explosive material.

“During searches by security forces at both locations, some suspicious objects were found. Sensing potential danger, the forces quickly retreated for safety. Shortly after, massive blasts occurred, resulting in significant damage to the houses,” the officer said.

Local residents in Tral, however, claimed that the explosion at Sheikh’s house took place after the family had been evacuated by the forces.

The two militants whose homes were destroyed are believed to be part of the group that carried out the deadly attack on tourists at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.

On Thursday, police released sketches of three attackers based on eyewitness accounts. They identified them as Adil Thokar of Anantnag and two Pakistani nationals — Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi and Hashim Musa alias Suleman.

Police also announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to each of the attackers, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.

Sources said Adil Thokar, also known as Aadil Guree, a resident of Bijbehara, had traveled to Pakistan in 2018 on a valid travel document after completing his post-graduation in Urdu. Security agencies believe he infiltrated to the Valley last year.


UNI MJR KK