The chilling terror strike in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead has been linked to Adil Thokar alias Adil Guree, a local from Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir. As reported by The Times of India, Adil is believed to have received terror training in Pakistan after legally crossing the Attari-Wagah border in 2018. After lying low for years, he re-emerged last year, helping foreign militants plan and execute the April 22 ambush.

Sources within the security establishment said Adil used his intimate knowledge of Baisaran, a serene meadow surrounded by pine forests, to orchestrate the operation. He is believed to have guided the attackers in selecting a hideout, studying the terrain, fixing the assault timing, and planning their escape route. His local insight turned a peaceful hill station into a war zone overnight.

Since the attack, Pahalgam’s once-vibrant tourism has collapsed, with terrified tourists fleeing and local business owners now staring at economic uncertainty.

India’s response has been swift and decisive. At a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting led by PM Narendra Modi, key retaliatory measures were finalized:

  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

  • Immediate closure of the Attari Integrated Check Post

  • Cancellation of all SAARC visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals

  • A 48-hour deadline for all Pakistani citizens in India to exit

    • Further, India declared Pakistani military advisors in Delhi persona non grata, ordered a cutback in diplomatic staff, and emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on terror.