First image, sketches of Pahalgam terrorists surface; They wore mounted cameras to film the attack

A chilling image has surfaced purportedly showing one of the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam district. The grainy photograph, aired on multiple news channels, shows a man sprinting with what appears to be an AK-47 rifle slung across his chest. While the image's authenticity is yet to be independently verified, it has intensified the ongoing manhunt.

The attack, which took place on Tuesday in the lush Baisaran meadow—just 7 km from the popular tourist town of Pahalgam—has now claimed 28 lives, making it the deadliest civilian assault in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Several others remain critically injured and are undergoing treatment in various hospitals across South Kashmir.

According to survivor testimonies, the assailants were six in number, believed to be foreign terrorists dressed in Indian Army fatigue. They reportedly rounded up civilians and asked them to reveal their names and recite Islamic verses. Those who could not comply were brutally shot at point-blank range. One survivor recounted seeing the terrorists laugh as they carried out the executions.

An initial investigation into the terror attack revealed that Pahalgam terror attack was preplanned and terrorists wore helmet-mounted cameras to record the entire sequence of events. terrorists also used advanced military equipment to carry out the attack.

As panic grips the Valley and the country reels from the brutality of the attack, security forces have launched a massive cordon-and-search operation across Anantnag and adjoining districts. Sketches of the suspected attackers have been released to the public in hopes of quick identification and capture.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who cut short all engagements and arrived in Kashmir hours after the attack, has personally visited the Baisaran area. He reviewed the ground situation with senior military and police officials and assured that those behind the bloodshed would face swift and unforgiving justice.

This terror strike, reportedly carried out by the Pakistan-backed terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), is being seen as an attempt to destabilize the Valley ahead of the upcoming tourist season. Security has now been beefed up across all major towns and entry points in Jammu and Kashmir.