In a chilling revelation that strengthens the link between Pakistan-based terror networks and recent violence in Jammu & Kashmir, Times Now has accessed
a detailed report on the identities and backgrounds of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack. On 22 April 2025, the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam turned into a site of horror when three heavily armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists. 26 civilians, most of them Hindu tourists, were killed. The attackers later escaped into the Dachigam-Harwan forest. After an extensive manhunt, the trio was neutralised by Indian forces on 28 July in Operation Mahadev, a counter-terror operation carried out deep in the forested terrain.
Operation Mahadev eliminates Pahalgam butchers
TIMES NOW accesses a detailed report on the identities & backgrounds of the Pahalgam attackers | #Watch
As per reports:
- Forces have recovered Pakistani voter ID card & Pak-manufactured personal items
- Nadra-linked smart ID… pic.twitter.com/IRr4U2urtz— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 4, 2025
Terrorists Identified:
The report has identified the slain attackers as high-ranking Pakistani nationals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba:
1. Suleman Shah, alias Faizal Jatt, was the mastermind and lead shooter, believed to have orchestrated the operation from the ground.
2. Abu Hamza, also known as Afghan, served as the second gunman.
3. Yasir, alias Jibran, functioned as the rear guard and third gunman, providing cover and monitoring troop movements.
Hard Evidence of Pakistani Involvement:
Recovered items and forensic analysis provided evidence of the attackers' origin and affiliations:
1. Pakistani voter ID cards and biometric data from NADRA, Pakistan’s national database, were found in the pockets of Suleman Shah and Abu Hamza. The voter serial numbers (photographed and circulated to the FIA) correspond to electoral rolls in Lahore (NA-125) and Gujranwala (NA-79) respectively.
2. Ballistics and DNA evidence - A micro-SD recovered from a damaged sat-phone contained the NADRA biometric records (fingerprints, facial template, family tree) of all three men, confirming their Pakistani citizenship and addresses in Changa Manga (Kasur district) and Koiyan village near Rawalakot, PoK .
3. Personal items of Pakistani origin - Wrappers of “CandyLand” and “ChocoMax” chocolates (both brands produced in Karachi) were found in the same rucksack that carried spare magazines. Lot numbers printed on wrappers were traced to a May 2024 consignment shipped to Muzaffarabad, PoK .
Terror Network and Local Support:
Investigations revealed that the trio had infiltrated the Gurez sector in 2022 and had been living covertly in the region for over a year. Just prior to the attack, they were sheltered overnight by two locals, who have since been detained and are under interrogation.
Authorities have also confirmed the involvement of two key Pakistan-based handlers: Sajid Saifullah Jatt, believed to be based in Lahore and Rizwan Anees, operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),
were instrumental in planning, guiding, and providing logistical support for the attack.
Notably, according to Times Now sources, funeral prayers were held for the terrorists in PoK, which confirms LeT's official backing.
